Dr. Mims on Developed Mutations in AML

Alice S. Mims, MD, medical oncologist, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—James, discusses developed resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

With a lot still unknown about resistance in AML, the most is known about patients with IDH1/2 and FLT3 mutations, explains Mims. Patients with IDH1/2-mutated AML often have other mutations, such as RAS and FLT3 mutations. This patient population may not respond well to IDH1/2 inhibitors alone, which is being explored through research regarding whether there are better combination therapies that can be used upfront, says Mims.

Some patients develop resistance mutations after being treated with IDH1/2 inhibitors. For example, a patient may start with an IDH1 mutation and develop an IDH2 mutation. When patients stop responding to treatment that has previously been effective, it is important to repeat molecular profiling to see if patients have acquired new mutations, concludes Mims.