Objective · To compare the efficacy and prognostic factors of HCAG regimen with traditional IA regimen in the treatment of newly diagnosed elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.  Methods · Forty-one patients with AML (aged 55-71 years) were randomly divided into two groups (Group HCAG and Group IA) between 2014 and 2016 for induction and consolidation therapy. Multivariate analysis was applied to identify prognostic factors for relapse-free survival (RFS).  Results · A total of 29 patients (70.7%) achieved complete remission (CR). The estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) was 66.8% in Group HCAG and 75.4% in Group IA (P=0.913). The estimated 2-year RFS was 61.8% in Group HCAG and 49.1% in Group IA (P=0.411). Age remained as the unfavorable prognostic factor, leading to significant differences in OS and RFS. In addition, RFS was influenced by cytogenetic/molecular risk stratification.  Conclusion · Although HCAG seemed not to particularly benefit the group, the dose reduction of anthracyclines may be applied in elderly patients with comparable short-time outcome. Furthermore, the introduction of homoharringtonine resulted in an improvement of treatment response for more than 20% compared with CAG regimen.