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Current Management of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  • Therapy in Practice
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Abstract

The outcome for children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has improved significantly over the past 30 years, with complete remission and overall survival rates exceeding 90 and 60%, respectively, in recent clinical trials. However, these improvements have not been achieved by the introduction of new agents. Instead, intensification of standard chemotherapy, more precise risk classification, improvements in supportive care, and the use of minimal residual disease to monitor response to therapy have all contributed to this success. Nevertheless, novel therapies are needed, as the cure rates for many subtypes of childhood AML remain unacceptably low. Here, we briefly review advances in our understanding of the biology and genetics of AML, the results of recent clinical trials, and current recommendations for the treatment of children with AML.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-2794, USA

    Jeffrey E. Rubnitz

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, USA

    Jeffrey E. Rubnitz

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Correspondence to Jeffrey E. Rubnitz.

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This work was supported, in part, by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC).

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Rubnitz, J.E. Current Management of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Pediatr Drugs 19, 1–10 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40272-016-0200-6

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