Approaching a therapeutic inflection point for FLT3-mutated AML

Combining FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors with intensive chemotherapy and transplant has substantially improved acute myeloid leukemia (AML) outcomes, prompting a recent reevaluation of the historically negative prognostic effect of FLT3 internal tandem duplication. Treatment approaches may soon undergo major changes because emerging data suggest maximal intensity does not benefit all patients and measurable residual disease potentially can guide several treatment choices. Finally, recent data also suggest that FLT3 inhibitors could transform outcomes in patients unsuitable for intensive therapy. If confirmed, this has important implications for fit patients and could revolutionize the treatment paradigm.