Cytotoxic chemotherapy for AML in adults

Abstract

Genomics and novel molecularly targeted drugs for treating acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) are developing rapidly. To optimize the allocation of patients to the best possible treatment, we have to expedite test results of cytogenetic and molecular analyses for target mutations such as CBF and FLT3, since gene mutations are specifically associated with patient prognosis and therefore inform medical decision making. However, novel agents cannot completely eradicate AML because of the emergence of resistance to these agents; therefore, at the moment it is still necessary to combine cytotoxic treatment with novel agents. Hence, it becomes vital to understand how to stratify AML patients and subsequently treat the right patients with the right combination of cytotoxic treatments and novel agents.