Diagnosis and management of AML in pediatric patients: consensus recommendations from an international expert panel
C Michel Zwaan1,2, Sarah K Tasian1,3,4, Richard Aplenc3,4
1Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
New guidelines address pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) management. This report details distinct diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for children, adolescents, and young adults with AML, differing from adult protocols.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- European LeukemiaNet provides adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) guidelines, last updated in 2022.
- Adult AML guidelines incorporate advances in genomics, diagnostics, and response assessment.
- Pediatric AML presents unique cytogenetic and molecular features necessitating specialized care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop specific diagnostic and management recommendations for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- To address the unique biological and clinical characteristics of AML in children, adolescents, and young adults.
- To provide a consensus report for pediatric AML based on international expertise.
Main Methods:
- Convening an international panel of pediatric hematologist-oncologists, biologists, geneticists, and laboratory medicine scientists.
- Reviewing current understanding of pediatric AML.
- Developing consensus-based recommendations for diagnosis and management.
Main Results:
- The report discusses distinct genetic and immunophenotypic diagnostics for pediatric AML.
- It outlines tailored therapeutic approaches and response assessment criteria for young patients.
- Specialized supportive care strategies for pediatric AML are addressed.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric AML requires specific guidelines separate from adult AML protocols.
- These recommendations aim to optimize the care of children, adolescents, and young adults with AML.
- The report serves as a crucial resource for managing pediatric AML.
Abstract:
The European LeukemiaNet has periodically issued guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults. These consensus recommendations, most recently updated in 2022, incorporate recent advances in genomic testing, disease detection methods, target identification, and response assessment. Although similarities exist between AML in children and adults, pediatric AML is frequently characterized by unique cytogenetic and molecular features, which require distinct genetic and immunophenotypic diagnostics, therapeutic approaches, response assessment criteria, and supportive care strategies. To address these specific needs, an international panel of pediatric hematologist-oncologists, biologists, geneticists, and laboratory medicine scientists convened to develop recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AML in children, adolescents, and young adults (hereafter termed pediatric AML) that are discussed in this special report.
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