HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

In this episode of HOPA Now, At-Large Board Member Jeremy Whalen is joined by Larry Buie, At-Large Board Member, to discuss recent advances in AML. The paradigm in AML treatment has shifted dramatically in recent years, and impressive advances have been made regarding accurate categorization and more effective drug use. Larry highlights these advancements, offers suggestions for ways that pharmacists can play a more integral role in patient treatment, and offers a look at the promising future of AML treatment.

In this episode you will learn:

An overview of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML

● AML is an expansion of myeloblasts that can occur in peripheral blood and bone marrow.

● AML is the leading cause of leukemia in adults with over 21,000 diagnoses in 2019 and a 50% mortality rate.

● Bone marrow biopsies provide information for varying risk categorization and subsequent treatments.

● There is pressure to determine risk categorization quickly because of the rapid advance rate of this disease.

● Initial therapies may include induction and consolidated transplant depending on patient response and eligibility.

Special considerations for elderly AML patients

● Experts are constantly working to make modifications to standard chemotherapy treatments without increasing toxicity.

● Age, physical fitness, frailty, comorbidity, and performance status all factor into determining appropriate levels of chemotherapy.

● Alternative treatment options include targeted therapies or a lower intensity targeted agent combined with hypomethylating agents.

● Guidelines are taken from the NCCN and the European LeukemiaNet Group.

● Details on particular toxicities that may be associated with targeted therapies and their success rates.

Ways pharmacists can increase involvement in AML care

● Increase patient monitoring and assisting in therapy selection.

● Offer inpatient and outpatient counseling regarding medication recommendations.

● Participate in pharmacist-led research and collaboration regarding drug studies.

A look at the future of AML

● More options are being presented with new drugs than ever before.

● Increased efficiency in identifying genetic abnormalities will allow for more targeted treatment.

● Chemo-free AML therapy may be a possibility in the future.

● Thorough screening will continue to be a critical component for ensuring appropriate drug use and safeguarding against toxicity.

Mentioned in This Episode:

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Recent Advances in AML