Treatment intensity in AML: a double-edged sword

In this issue of Blood, Turcotte et al(1) demonstrate in the largest cohort to date of childhood acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) survivors that treatment intensification and improved supportive care measures have led to dramatically better long-term survival over time. However, they also show the unwanted effects of treatment intensification, that being a greater burden of late effects and toxicity that have persisted even in patients treated in the most recent time period.

Automated summary

In this study, the authors demonstrate that treatment intensification and improved supportive care measures have significantly improved long-term survival for childhood AML survivors. However, they also highlight the unwanted effects of treatment intensification, including increased burden of late effects and toxicity in recent patients.