Molecular characterization of acute myeloid leukemia and its impact on treatment

Purpose of review Molecular aberrations are playing an ever increasing role in guiding classification, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. This review outlines recent strides in our understanding of the molecular characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia. Recent findings We highlight the novel concept of preferential co-expression of certain mutations, summarize recent data on the clinically relevant prognostic role of known and novel molecular aberrations, and emphasize the emerging role of gene expression profiling and minimal residual disease monitoring. Summary We review the molecular heterogeneity within already established categories of acute myeloid leukemia and discuss how these data may translate into prognostic, molecular-based therapy stratification to improve patient outcome.