Integrating genomics into prognostic models for AML.

Overview

The use of genomic profiling in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has led to an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis. Genomic profiling has given rise to fundamental observations about the biology of AML and has served to better define clinical outcomes for patients based on somatic mutational status. As additional mutations are identified with a known or postulated role in AML pathogenesis, the challenge ahead will be learning how to integrate these findings into clinical practice in such a way that they have a meaningful impact on patient care and, ultimately, on patient outcomes. Potential goals include using genomic information for refined risk stratification and clinical decision making, and to identify genetic lesions that guide the use of molecularly targeted therapies. The development of next-generation sequencing technologies has made genomic profiling a viable option for use in clinical practice because it can provide robust, high-coverage sequencing data for multiple genes in 1 assay, within a clinically reasonable time frame. The present article discusses recent candidate gene sequencing studies, the development of prognostic models based on these studies, and the current and potential future uses of next-generation sequencing technologies in making treatment decisions for patients with AML.