Objective:

2

To analyze the overall survival (OS) of elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with oral arsenic-containing Qinghuang Powder (青黄散

QHP) or low-intensity chemotherapy (LIC).

Methods:

2

Forty-two elderly AML patients treated with intravenous or subcutaneous LIC (1 month for each course

at least 3 courses) or oral QHP (3 months for each course

at least 2 courses) were retrospectively analyzed from January 2015 to December 2017. The main endpoints of analysis were OS and 1-

2-

3-year OS rates of patients

respectively. And the adverse reactions induding bone marrow suppression

digestive tract discomfort and myocardia injury were observed.

Results:

2

Out of 42 elderly AML patients

22 received LIC treatment and 20 received QHP treatment

according to patients' preference. There was no significant difference on OS between LIC and QHP patients (13.0 months vs. 13.5 months

P

>

0.05). There was no significant difference on OS rates between LIC and QHP groups at 1 year (59.1% vs. 70.0%)

2 years (13.6% vs. 15%)

and 3 years (4.6% vs. 5.0%

all

P

>

0.05). Furthermore

there was no significant difference of OS on prognosis stratification of performance status

>

2 (12 months vs. 12 months)

age

>

75 year-old (12.0 months vs. 12.5 months)

hematopoietic stem cell transplant comorbidity index

>

2 (12 months vs. 13 months)

poor cytogenetics (12 months vs. 8 months)

and diagnosis of secondary AML (10 months vs. 14 months) between LIC and QHP patients (

P

>

0.05).

Conclusion:

2

QHP may be an alternative treatment for elderly AML patients refusing LIC therapy.