New Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Treatments

When we talk about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), we are referring to a fast-proliferating cancer that spreads from the bone marrow to the blood. It is one of the most aggressive types of leukemia which requires immediate and effective attention. As with all modern diseases, new therapies like chemotherapy, targeted treatments, and immunotherapy are emerging which offer hope to patients with AML.

What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects blood and bone marrow. It results in the abnormal production of blood cells due to poorly functioning bone marrow. This results in the infection of the body’s white blood cells and the resultant weak cell production will cell death in the body. Due to the death of these helpful cells, symptoms like severe tiredness, easy infection, easily getting bruised, and bleeding are enabled.

AML can also spread into other regions of the body like the liver, spleen, and even brain. Due to the rapid intensity of the illness, it is a must to receive immediate treatment for the cancer.

Can Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) be Cured?

Even though AML is a tough disease to deal with, remission and cure chances improve dramatically due to great leaping advancements in medical science. Chemotherapy is and always will be does main amplifier of treating AML cancer. However, patients have greater positivity towards Bone Marrow and stem cell replacement therapy.

In recent years, new medicines have emerged. This improves the effectiveness of therapy and extends survival for patients, even in advanced stages of the disease. These medicines have been shown to reduce relapse rates and increase overall survival chances.

Latest Advances in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Treatments:

There have recently been many new therapies developed for AML to have better outcomes. Below are some of the key treatments approved for AML that are making a significant impact:

Onureg (Azacitidine):

Onureg (azacitidine) is a life-saving medicine. It is designed for patients who are in complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi). It’s primarily used as a maintenance therapy for adult patients with AML who cannot undergo intensive chemotherapy.

• FDA Approval: September 2020
• EMA Approval: May 2020
• Indications: This therapeutic drug is used to prevent relapse in AML patients in remission. It is also approved for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CML).

Venclyxto (Venetoclax):

Venclyxto (venetoclax) is a BCL-2 inhibitor. It is designed to work by promoting the death of cancerous cells. It is often used together with other chemotherapy agents like azacitidine or decitabine. This medicine has been particularly beneficial for elderly AML patients (aged 75+), who may not be able to tolerate intensive chemotherapy.

• FDA Approval: October 2020
• Indications: This medicine is used for newly diagnosed AML in elderly patients and those with comorbidities.

Tibsovo (Ivosidenib):

Tibsovo (ivosidenib) is designed as a targeted therapy. It is used for the treatment of AML patients with an IDH1 mutation—a genetic abnormality found in some cases of leukemia. This therapy is particularly useful for those who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy.

• FDA Approval: 2018 (relapsed/refractory), 2019 (newly diagnosed)
• Indications: Tibsovo is used for patients with IDH1 mutant AML, especially those who cannot undergo intensive chemotherapy.

Xospata (Gilteritinib Fumarate):

Xospata (gilteritinib fumarate) is used for FLT3-mutated AML, a subtype of leukemia where the FLT3 protein plays a key role in the survival of leukemia cells. Xospata works by inhibiting the FLT3 receptor, helping to stop the proliferation of cancerous cells in the bone marrow and bloodstream.

• FDA Approval: 2018
• Indications: Xospata is indicated for FLT3-mutated AML patients who have relapsed or are refractory to standard chemotherapy treatments.

Vanflyta (Quizartinib Dihydrochloride):

Vanflyta (quizartinib dihydrochloride) is used for FLT3-ITD-positive AML. It targets a specific mutation of the FLT3 gene that is responsible for poor prognosis in AML. By blocking this mutation, this medicine helps to improve patient outcomes and survival rates (SR).

• FDA Approval: 2019
• Indications: It is approved for the treatment of FLT3-ITD positive AML, specifically for newly diagnosed individuals along with chemotherapy.

Tabloid (Thioguanine):

Tabloid (thioguanine) is a chemotherapy agent. It is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat AML. It is designed to interfere with DNA replication, which is important for leukemia cell division and survival. This helps stop the growth of abnormal cells in the bone marrow as well as blood.

• FDA Approval: 1990
• Indications: It is used to treat AML along with other chemotherapy agents to increase its effectiveness in killing leukemia cells.

Rydapt (Midostaurin):

• Rydapt (midostaurin) is used for use in patients with AML that is FLT-3 positive, meaning there are mutations in the FLT3 gene that will usually make the disease progress more or less aggressively. It acts on the FLT3 receptor and blocks it which is helpful for increasing survival when given with chemotherapy.
• FDA Approval: 2017
• Indications: This medicine is used for the treatment of FLT3-positive AML. It is often used in combination with chemotherapy to improve outcomes in newly diagnosed patients.