Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow when immature myeloid cells multiply uncontrollably and stop the production of healthy blood cells. This review discusses the main aspects of AML, including its causes, spread, symptoms, diagnosis, and the latest treatment options. Worldwide, leukemia makes up about 2.5% of all new cancer cases, and AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. The disease usually develops due to genetic changes and chromosomal mutations which interfere with normal blood cell development and cause rapid cell growth. Common symptoms include tiredness, frequent infections, fever, pale skin, easy bleeding or bruising, and swelling of the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes. Diagnosis is confirmed through bone marrow testing, genetic and molecular studies, and identification of specific cell markers, following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The standard treatment involves chemotherapy with cytarabine and anthracycline (known as the “7+3” regimen), often followed by stem cell transplantation to restore healthy bone marrow. However, relapse and resistance to treatment remain serious challenges. The article explains several important advanced therapies that are transforming the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). These include targeted therapy, which attacks specific genetic mutations such as using drugs like midostaurin, gilteritinib, quizartinib, ivosidenib, and enasidenib. Another major advancement is venetoclax, a BCL-2(B-cell lymphoma2) inhibitor used especially in older or unfit patients. The article also discusses immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies that recognize leukemia-specific antigens and help the immune system destroy cancer cells. CAR-T cell therapy is highlighted as a major breakthrough in which a patient’s own immune cells are modified to directly target leukemia cells. The article further mentions oncolytic virus therapy, where specially engineered viruses infect and kill cancer cells while stimulating an immune response. In addition, it includes the emerging strategy of targeting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which many cancer cells depend on for energy and survival; blocking this pathway can weaken leukemia cells, especially those resistant to chemotherapy. Together, these advanced therapies aim to improve outcomes, reduce relapse rates, and offer options for patients who do not respond to standard chemotherapy.
Vidhan Lohakare* (Mon,) studied this question.