Invited discussant Guru Subramanian Guru Murthy, MD, MS, of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, commented on the study of aspacytarabine in the first-line therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) unfit for standard chemotherapy. “This study elegantly highlights there is still a role for chemotherapy in the management of AML, even in the era of targeted agents.”

Guru Subramanian Guru Murthy, MD, MS

Dr. Murthy continued: “An attractive aspect of this agent is the fixed duration of therapy compared with other agents, such as hypomethylating agents, venetoclax, and IDH1/2 inhibitors. Using these agents continuously until disease progression can result in treatment-related and financial toxicities for patients.” 

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Murthy has received honoraria from Cardinal Health and served as a consultant or advisor to Cancer Expert New and Techspert.