Older patients with acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage (ALAL) continue to have poor odds of survival, according to a study involving more than 700 individuals. Moreover, treatment that might help appears to be used by only a small number of patients.

Investigators looked at overall survival in participants >65 years of age with ALAL from the SEER database. Among the results:

• 2-year overall survival was 16% for patients 66 to 70 years of age; it was 8% for those 71 to 75, 6% for those 76 to 80, and 4% for those >80.
• Survival did not vary by race or gender.
• 2-year overall survival was 17% in 151 patients receiving chemotherapy and 3% in those who did not receive chemo.
• Mortality was worse in those older than 80 years of age vs those younger.
• Those who received chemotherapy saw their survival odds improved by nearly 50%.