Pathophysiology of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a biologically heterogenous disease arising in clonally proliferating hematopoietic stem cells. Sequential acquisition of mutations leads to expanded proliferation of clonal myeloid progenitors and failure of differentiation, leading to fulminant AML.

Summary: Here, we review the pathophysiology of AML with a focus on factors predisposing to AML development, including prior chemo- and radiation therapy, environmental factors, and germline predisposition.

Key message: Increasing genomic characterization of AML and insight into mechanisms of its development will be critical to improvement in AML prognostication and therapy.

Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; Acute myeloid leukemia mutations; Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential; Hematopoietic stem cell.