Dr. Tallman on the State of the Science in AML Treatment

Martin S. Tallman, MD, hematologic oncologist, chief of Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the state of the science with regard to treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The state of the art rests on a number of principles, Tallman explains. First, the disease is truly defined today by cytogenetic and molecular or genomic abnormalities. Second, induction chemotherapy can be intensified for the benefit of patients, Tallman explains. Third, consolidation treatment may be able to be deintensified. Fourth, the benefit of allogeneic transplantation has only increased over time; also, there has been an expanded pool of patients who may benefit from transplantation.

Fifth, there is an increasing awareness of the importance of minimal residual disease studies, both following intensive chemotherapy and before allogeneic transplantation. Perhaps the most exciting advance, he adds, is the development of new agents that are very promising in the treatment of AML today.