Recent Advances in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains an important treatment modality for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recent advances have extended donor availability for patients without matched donors. Transplantation is now increasingly offered to older patients, including those above 70 years and less fit individuals. Better prognostic models are being developed. Proceeding faster to transplantation with haploidentical donors if an urgent transplant is needed, such as in patients with detectable minimal residual disease, may allow more patients to get to transplant, and it is hoped more will be cured from their disease. With continuous improvements in treatment-related toxicity and mortality, relapse has become the most important cause of treatment failure, and novel approaches are needed to make the next big leap in the treatment of this disease with transplantation. In this review we aim to summarize recent advances and provide future research directions in the transplantation for patients with AML.

Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; Allogeneic stem cell transplantation; Elderly; Geriatric assessment; Haploidentical transplantation; Hematopoietic cell transplant composite risk; Minimal residual disease; Reduced-intensity conditioning.