Current management of AML patients

The dilemma is that if patients are MRD-positive in remission, they are probably not going to respond well to a transplant. And if they are MRD-negative, they don’t need a transplant.

A retrospective study by Milano et al indicated that MRD-positive patients seem to fare better than expected with a double umbilical cord blood transplant. However, Dr. Stone noted that this finding has not been confirmed prospectively.

The most exciting aspect of MRD in AML, Dr. Stone said, is it may allow us to get to new drugs quicker by revealing whether a drug is actually lowering MRD burden.

Dr. Stone also discussed newly approved drugs for AML and new treatment approaches under investigation. Details on that portion of his presentation are available here: “Novel agents changing treatment algorithm in AML.”