Serum LDH value as a predictor of clinical outcome in acute myelogenous leukaemia of the elderly

72 patients aged over 60 suffering from acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) and treated with aggressive chemotherapy were analysed with the aim of finding factors of prognostic relevance. With regard to complete remission achievement, the only variable of statistical significance found was the karyotype at diagnosis. As far as overall survival, in multivariate analysis performed by Cox hazard regression model, unfavourable karyotype and serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) >400 IU/l were significantly related to an adverse clinical outcome. Finally, serum LDH was the only parameter to significantly influence disease-free survival. We conclude that serum LDH is a main prognostic factor in AML of the elderly and a potentially useful tool for identifying subsets of patients who may obtain a substantial advantage from aggressive chemotherapy.