Patient-Reported QOL Provides Prognostic Insight in AML: Fabio Efficace, PhD, MSc

Baseline quality-of-life (QOL) data may offer clinicians meaningful prognostic information beyond conventional laboratory and physician-reported assessments in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to a secondary data analysis of the phase 3 EORTC AML21 trial (NCT02172872) presented at the European Hematology Association 2026 Congress (EHA) by lead author Fabio Efficace, PhD, MSc.

In an interview at the meeting with The American Journal of Managed Care^®, Efficace explained that the primary clinical benefit findings from the large international study were published in The Lancet Haematology. Meanwhile, data on QOL, the trial’s secondary end point, were published separately. His EHA presentation built on that work by focusing on the prognostic value of baseline patient-reported QOL for overall survival.

Efficace emphasized that QOL is an independent prognostic factor in patients with AML. He noted that this is particularly relevant in this population given the ongoing challenge of fitness evaluation, which heavily influences treatment decision-making. Among the QOL domains examined, global QOL carried the largest HR for survival. He highlighted that global QOL was captured with just 2 items, making routine assessment highly feasible.

"It's pretty pragmatic," Efficace said. He added that the clinical takeaway is to incorporate global QOL evaluation into diagnostic workup more systematically, as it can yield prognostic insights beyond established AML risk factors.

Overall, Efficace framed patient-reported QOL data as providing additional information that complements clinical information that investigators routinely evaluate. He described the analysis as a foundational step in a field where patient-reported evidence in AML remains limited. Looking ahead, Efficace said the goal is to collaborate with international partners to develop a novel patient-centric fitness index that integrates QOL data alongside clinical and laboratory parameters.

“By putting all these aspects together, we can improve the accuracy of prognosis,” he concluded.