Online first
Review article
Published online: 2024-12-04
Checkpoint inhibitors as potential therapeutics in acute myeloid leukemia
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DOI: 10.5603/ahp.102572
Abstract
Despite recent progress in treatment methods, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) continues to pose significant clinical
challenges and is associated with generally unfavorable prognoses. Patients considered fit for intensive therapy are
usually treated with cytarabine-anthracycline-based induction chemotherapy. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
transplantation (allo-HSCT) is recommended for patients with adverse-risk AML and most patients with intermediaterisk
AML. The standard therapy for patients who are deemed too poorly for intensive treatment is the combination
of azacitidine and venetoclax. AML cells can escape the immune system through various mechanisms, including
reduced expression of MHC complex molecules, ligand shedding, manipulation of chemical signaling, and enhanced
inhibitory ligand expression. Increased expression of ligands for T-cell-regulation checkpoints is present in AML cells
and correlates with worse outcomes. Therefore, this article reviews the current research progress in immune checkpoint
inhibitors in AML.
Keywords: checkpoint inhibitorstherapyacute myeloid leukemiasurvival
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