From the Guidelines
Leukemias are a group of cancers characterized by the abnormal proliferation of white blood cells, with four main types: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The most recent and highest quality study, 1, provides an overview of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is a heterogeneous hematologic disease characterized by the proliferation of immature lymphoid cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and other organs. Some key points about leukemias include:
- The age-adjusted incidence rate of ALL in the United States is 1.8 per 100,000 individuals per year, with approximately 6,550 new cases and 1,330 deaths estimated in 2024, as reported in 1.
- The cure rates and survival outcomes for patients with ALL have improved dramatically over the past several decades, primarily among children, due to advances in the understanding of molecular genetics and pathogenesis of the disease, incorporation of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing, refinement of risk-adapted treatment algorithms, advent of new targeted agents, and use of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), as stated in 1.
- Treatment approaches to ALL represent one of the most complex and intensive programs in cancer therapy, with the most common treatment regimens used in patients with ALL including modifications or variations of multiagent therapy regimens, as described in 1.
- The treatment of newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative B-cell ALL (B-ALL) in adults typically involves induction, consolidation, and maintenance phases, with standard treatments including chemotherapy regimens such as hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) for ALL, as mentioned in 1. Other types of leukemia, such as AML, are also discussed in earlier studies, including 1, which focuses on management and provides recommendations on the workup, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options for younger and older adult patients with AML. Overall, the management of leukemias requires a comprehensive approach, including early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and supportive care, with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with these diseases.
From the Research
Definition of Leukemias
- Leukemias are a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, characterized by an abnormal increase in white blood cells [(2,3,4,5)].
- There are different types of leukemias, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) [(2,3,4,5,6)].
Types of Leukemias
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of leukemia that is commonly found in adult patients, characterized by a low overall survival rate and resistance to therapy [(2,3,4,5)].
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a type of leukemia characterized by a balanced genetic translocation, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), involving a fusion of the Abelson gene (ABL1) from chromosome 9q34 with the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene on chromosome 22q11.2 6.
Characteristics of Leukemias
- AML is characterized by a poor long-term survival rate and a high relapse rate, with resistance to available therapies [(2,3,4,5)].
- CML is characterized by the generation of a BCR::ABL1 fusion oncogene, which translates into a BCR::ABL1 oncoprotein 6.
- Leukemias can be treated with various therapies, including chemotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation [(2,3,4,5,6)].