New drug approvals in acute myeloid leukemia: an unprecedented paradigm shift

Abstract

We are witnessing an unprecedented paradigm shift in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). For nearly 4 decades-since the introduction of cytarabine- and anthracycline-based induction chemotherapy in the 1970s-treatment options for patients with AML have remained limited, and outcomes remain poor for the majority of patients, particularly the elderly. Over the past 10 to 15 years, we have better elucidated the genetic and molecular basis of AML, which has led to our current understanding of disease heterogeneity. We now appreciate that numerous distinct disease subtypes exist, each with their own disease characteristics and risk profile. In keeping with this improved understanding, we have seen the introduction of numerous new agents that are mechanistically targeted against a specific mutation, a deranged cellular pathway, and/or a specific AML disease subset. Within the last 3 years alone, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved 8 new targeted agents for the treatment of AML. With their introduction comes a new sense of optimism, along with questions about how to best use these agents. In this article, we discuss the recently approved agents in AML, the rationale behind their development and the trials that served as the basis for their approval, and the implications of their introduction into the treatment armamentarium.