Daunorubicin/Cytarabine Liposome: A Review in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

VYXEOS is a liposomal-encapsulated formulation of daunorubicin and cytarabine delivering a fixed, synergistic 1:5 molar ratio (hereafter referred to as daunorubicin/cytarabine liposome). Daunorubicin/cytarabine liposome is approved in several countries worldwide for the treatment of adults with therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia (tAML) and AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (MRC). Approval was based on its clinical benefit in older patients with newly diagnosed high-risk/secondary AML in a pivotal phaseIII trial. In this study, daunorubicin/cytarabine liposome significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) relative to conventional chemotherapy with cytarabine plus daunorubicin (hereafter referred to as 7+3). Daunorubicin/cytarabine liposome was also associated with significantly higher rates of complete remission (CR) and CR with incomplete haematological recovery (CRi) compared with 7+3. Daunorubicin/cytarabine liposome had an acceptable tolerability profile in older patients with newly diagnosed high-risk/secondary AML. The safety profile of daunorubicin/cytarabine liposome, including types and severities of adverse events, was generally similar to that of 7+3. Therefore, daunorubicin/cytarabine liposome is an important treatment option for adults with newly diagnosed tAML or AML-MRC.