Current Treatments of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer characterized by the rapid reproduction of immature myeloid blasts that disrupt the normal development of blood cells.Despite significant advances in treatment, AML continues to pose a major therapeutic challenge, particularly in older adults, due to the toxicity of the current treatments.This review examines the current therapeutic landscape of AML while also shedding light on emerging treatments.Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of induction therapy, most notably through the "7+3) regimen of cytarbine and anthracyclines, which targets rapidly dividing cells.For patients ineligible for intensive regimens, hypomethylating agents offer a less toxic alternative by reactivating tumor suppressor genes through DNA demethylation.Immunotherapy is an expanding treatment, with antibody-drug conjugates, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR T-cell therapies showing promising results.Radiation therapy holds a supportive role, particularly in conditioning before stem cell transplants.Stem cell transplants remain the only curative strategy for many patients.Ongoing research increasingly focuses on integrating molecular profiling, epigenetic therapy, and immune-based approaches to enhance efficiency and minimize toxicity. IntroAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the rapid accumulation of abnormal myeloid cells that interfere with normal hematopoiesis.It accounts for about 1% of all cancers and is the most common acute leukemia in adults.AML typically arises from mutations in hematopoietic stem cells, leading to an uncontrolled proliferation of immature white blood cells known as myeloblasts.These abnormal cells crowd out the healthy blood cells and manifest in symptoms like anemia, frequent infections, and excessive bleeding.Despite advances in therapy, the overall five-year survival rate remains low, particularly in older adults.This article will examine the current treatment landscape for AML, focusing on chemotherapy, hypomethylating agents, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation.Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow defined by the clonal expansion of immature myeloid blasts (Vakiti).Myeloid cells are a normal blood cell lineage that, under healthy conditions, give rise to red blood cells, platelets, and several types of white blood cells.In AML, genetic mutations disrupt the normal maturation of these myeloid cells, causing them to remain in an immature state and multiply uncontrollably.These blasts accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cell production, resulting in bone marrow failure.AML develops abruptly and progresses quickly, making early recognition and intervention critical (Vakiti). ChemotherapyChemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for most patients diagnosed with AML.Chemotherapy is typically delivered intravenously in the hospital and is divided into two phases: induction and consolidation.Induction therapy is the aggressive initial phase designed to eliminate the bulk of leukemic cells and achieve remission, often using the "7+3" regimen (seven