Tracking the Shifting Treatment Landscape of AML

EP: 1.Overview of Pathophysiology of and Progression of AML

EP: 2.Risk Classification Systems in AML

EP: 3.Key Patient Factors to Consider in AML Treatment Decisions

EP: 4.Provider Perspectives on Biggest Unmet Needs in AML Care

EP: 5.Social Determinants to AML Treatment Approach

EP: 6.Latest NCCN Guidelines on the Standard of Care for Patients With AML

EP: 7.Patient Eligibility for Transplant, Induction, and Consolidation in AML Treatment

EP: 8.Venetoclax and the Impact on Management of Older Patients With AML

EP: 9.Combination Therapies in AML Treatment Approach

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EP: 10.Tracking the Shifting Treatment Landscape of AML

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have witnessed a dramatic transformation in treatment options, evolving from limited choices to comprehensive oral therapy regimens that improve both access and quality of life. The progression from injectable hypomethylating agents used primarily in hospice settings to effective oral combinations represents a fundamental shift in how patients experience cancer care. Modern oral regimens, including combinations of oral azacitidine or decitabine with venetoclax, allow patients to receive effective treatment while maintaining independence and reducing the burden of frequent clinic visits.
The development of all-oral treatment regimens addresses critical patient needs, particularly for those living far from treatment centers or struggling with the physical demands of frequent clinic visits. Patients consistently express preferences for oral medications when given equivalent therapeutic options, recognizing the potential for improved quality of life and reduced caregiver burden. However, the transition to oral therapies requires careful attention to drug interactions, adherence monitoring, and patient education to ensure optimal outcomes while managing the complexity of multi-drug oral regimens.
Health care providers are learning to optimize oral therapy approaches while addressing practical challenges including insurance coverage differences between oral and intravenous medications, patient adherence support, and appropriate monitoring strategies. Patients benefit from comprehensive education about their oral regimens, including proper timing, food interactions, and when to contact their health care team about concerns. The future of AML care increasingly points toward sophisticated oral combination therapies that could include targeted agents, hypomethylating agents, and venetoclax, representing a complete paradigm shift from the hospital-intensive treatments that characterized AML care for decades.