Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Advancements in Diagnosis and Treatment
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Beijing 100045; National Key Discipline of Pediatrics, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100045; Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100045; Hematology Oncology Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100045, China.
Insights
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosis and treatment are evolving. Gene sequencing and targeted therapies show promise for improving outcomes in pediatric AML, offering new hope for patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common childhood cancer, with historically modest survival rates.
- Current diagnostic and treatment strategies for AML lack universal consensus.
- Targeted therapy presents a promising avenue for improving AML patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in AML diagnosis and treatment.
- To highlight novel molecular insights and classification updates in AML.
- To summarize emerging targeted therapies and ongoing clinical trials for pediatric AML.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of PubMed for recent AML research on diagnostics and therapies.
- Inclusion of clinical trial information from ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Review of molecular therapeutic agents including monoclonal antibodies, FLT3 inhibitors, epigenetic agents, and cellular therapies.
Main Results:
- Clonal evolution impacts leukemogenesis, treatment response, and relapse.
- Pediatric-specific genomic mapping and novel diagnostic methods were discussed.
- Research on targeted agents like monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase/FLT3 inhibitors, epigenetic modifiers, and cellular therapies was summarized.
Conclusions:
- Next-generation AML diagnostics should be based on gene sequencing.
- Targeted therapy is crucial for future clinical research and therapeutic development in AML.
Objective:
Leukemia is the most common pediatric malignancy and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Among all subtypes, a lack of consensus exists regarding the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patient survival rates have remained modest for the past three decades in AML. Recently, targeted therapy has emerged as a promising treatment.
Data Sources:
We searched the PubMed database for recently published research papers on diagnostic development, target therapy, and other novel therapies of AML. Clinical trial information was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov. For the major purpose of this review that is to outline the latest therapeutic development of AML, we only listed the ongoing clinical trials for reference. However, the published results of complete clinical trials were also mentioned.
Study Selection:
This article reviewed the latest developments related to the diagnosis and treatment of AML. In the first portion, we provided some novel insights on the molecular basis of AML, as well as provided an update on the classification of AML. In the second portion, we summarized the results of research on potential molecular therapeutic agents including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase/Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors, epigenetic/demethylating agents, and cellular therapeutic agents. We will also highlight ongoing research and clinical trials in pediatric AML.
Results:
We described clonal evolution and how it changes our view on leukemogenesis, treatment responses, and disease relapse. Pediatric-specific genomic mapping was discussed with a novel diagnostic method highlighted. In the later portion of this review, we summarized the researches on potential molecular therapeutic agents including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase/FLT3 inhibitors, epigenetic/demethylating agents, and cellular therapeutic agents.
Conclusion:
Gene sequencing techniques should set the basis for next-generation diagnostic methods of AML, and target therapy should be the focus of future clinical research in the exploration of therapeutic possibilities.
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