Acute myeloid leukemia – treatment of relapsed and refractory form

Abstract

Relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is defined by clinical and biologic features that predict their poor response to therapy. Despite even the most aggressive and well-developed strategies for treatment, most patients succumb to the disease. No currently available treatment has demonstrated consistent efficacy in terms of salvage therapy or long-term survival in this group of patients. This review will discuss some of the emerging strategies: targeted molecular therapies, novel cytotoxics, and immune-based therapies to treat relapsed and refractory AML patients.