Ultra-Low-Dose Decitabine Combined With Autologous Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells for Elderly Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Transformed From Myelodysplastic Syndrome

PurposeElderly acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) patients have limited treatment options because they poorly tolerate standard-dose chemotherapy. The present article describes our experience with ultra-low-dose decitabine combined with infusion of autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells for 2 elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome–transformed AML.MethodsDecitabine (10 mg) was given on days 1 to 5, and CIK cells on day 14 with 2 to 8 × 109 cells per infusion.FindingsThe therapeutic regimen resulted in marked hematologic recovery and was associated with better than expected survival in both cases.ImplicationsOur experience suggests that the combination therapy is safe and effective for elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome–transformed AML.