title: Targeted therapy of acute myeloid leukemia in 2012: towards individualized therapy.
abstract: Advances in molecular diagnostics in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have translated into significant advances in our understanding of disease prognosis and biology, and the identification of new targets for therapy. The best described of these are mutations in Fms-like  tyrosine kinase 3, nucleophosmin 1, and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein-alpha in those with cytogenetically AML, which allow more accurate risk stratification and help better 'target' patients who may benefit from allogeneic transplantation (specifically those with activating FLT3  mutation). Among the new targets identified for clinical trials are FLT3 mutation (a target for tyrosine kinase inhibitors), CD33 expression (a target of monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins), aberrant methylation (target of hypomethylating agents), and overexpression of the chemokine receptor  CXCR4 (a target for inhibition by small molecule or monoclonal antibody). We are advancing towards an era of personalized medicine in AML, and can now better identify specific patients who may benefit from specific therapies with less toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, USA. foran.james@mayo.edu
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Foran
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000276:immunology; D063268:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 / Q000235:genetics; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C571163:CD33 protein, human; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D063268:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3; D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3; D018631:ras Proteins