Relapsed AML (acute myeloid leukaemia)

Relapse is seen in over 50% of patients (1).

• in a majority of patients who achieve clinical remission, AML will recur within 3 years after diagnosis
• the prognosis is poor and treatment options are unsatisfactory in this group of patients (2).

There is no established standard in the treatment of relapsed disease. The idea behind treatment of relapsed AML patients is to achieve a new remission.

Once a new remission has been achieved, allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the consolidation therapy of choice. An autologous HSCT is often regarded as the second best option in situations where an allogeneic HSCT is not possible due to lack of a suitable donor (2).

Reference:

• 1. British Committee for Standards in Haematology et al.Guidelines on the management of acute myeloid leukaemia in adults. Br J Haematol. 2006;135(4):450-74.
• 2. Döhner H et al. Diagnosis and management of acute myeloid leukemia in adults: recommendations from an international expert panel, on behalf of the European LeukemiaNet. Blood. 2010;115(3):453-74.