Dr. Schiller on the Heterogeneity of AML

Gary J. Schiller, MD, director, Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation and professor of hematology/oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, discusses the heterogeneity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Years ago, the panels for testing molecular abnormalities did not test many modern mutations, but chromosome 3 mutations could have been seen because conventional cytogenetics have been done for a long time, according to Schiller. Now patients live longer, relapse later, and there is more upfront management with allogeneic transplant—even in older populations, says Schiller.

Panels show more molecular mutations than ever before, but the disease biology has changed, as well. Relapse was “never seen” after 3 to 5 years in remission, according to Schiller, but that is no longer true. AML is changing, as is the ability to make a detailed diagnosis, concludes Schiller.