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New Treatment Options for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2019

  • Leukemia (A Aguayo, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The extensive genomic characterization of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) led to the identification of a vast number of potential therapeutic targets. We review relevant data that have led to recent approval of new targeted therapies in AML and discuss the most promising drugs currently in development in this disease.

Recent Findings

New formulations of cytotoxic agents, namely CPX-351 and gemtuzumab ozogamicin, improve the outcome of defined subgroup of patients. Midostaurin added to intensive chemotherapy is approved in FLT3-mutated AML. More selective FLT3 inhibitors and the IDH inhibitors enasidenib and ivosidenib have shown significant single agent activity in the relapsed setting, and preliminary results of combination strategies are encouraging. The addition of the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax appears to markedly improve the results of hypomethylating agents.

Summary

The therapeutic armamentarium of AML now includes novel cytotoxic drugs, drugs targeting recurrent oncogenes, or functional vulnerabilities of leukemic cells. Further work is required to optimize their integration to the current framework of AML management, including allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

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Correspondence to Raphael Itzykson.

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Marco Cerrano declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Raphael Itzykson has received research funding from Oncoethix S.A. (now Merck), Janssen and Novartis; has received consulting fees from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Otsuka, and Karyopharm Therapeutics; has received honoraria from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, and Sanofi; and has received travel grants from Daiichi Sankyo.

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Cerrano, M., Itzykson, R. New Treatment Options for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2019. Curr Oncol Rep 21, 16 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-019-0764-8

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