Fungal infection frequency in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia patients treated with venetoclax plus azacitidine with or without antifungal prophylaxis

Br J Haematol. 2024 Nov;205(5):1746-1750. doi: 10.1111/bjh.19670. Epub 2024 Jul 23.

Abstract

Our observational study analysed fungal infection frequency within cohorts with versus without antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) among newly diagnosed first-line venetoclax and azacitidine (VEN + AZA)-treated acute myeloid leukaemias in Czech, Austrian and Slovak haematology centres. Among 186 patients, 85 (46%) received antifungal prophylaxis, while 101 (54%) received no prophylaxis. Fungal infections occurred in 1/85 patients with prophylaxis (1%) and 5/101 patients without prophylaxis (5%) (p = 0.222). No significant difference was recorded between cohorts with and without AFP in terms of death rate (p = 0.296) and overall survival (p = 0.844). In conclusion, most infections were not severe, developing during the first treatment-cycle and did not affect patients' overall outcome.

Keywords: acute myeloid leukaemia; antifungal prophylaxis; fungal infection; venetoclax and azacitidine.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Azacitidine* / administration & dosage
  • Azacitidine* / therapeutic use
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic* / administration & dosage
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / complications
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses* / etiology
  • Mycoses* / prevention & control
  • Sulfonamides* / administration & dosage
  • Sulfonamides* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Azacitidine
  • venetoclax
  • Sulfonamides
  • Antifungal Agents