Treatment Response Rates for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

The goal of treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is to put the leukemia into complete remission (where the bone marrow and blood cell counts return to normal), preferably a complete molecular remission (where there are no signs of leukemia in the bone marrow, even using sensitive molecular or genetic lab tests), and to keep it that way.

Remission rates for most types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

About 2 out of 3 people with AML who get standard induction chemotherapy (chemo) go into remission. This usually means the bone marrow contains fewer than 5% blast cells, the blood cell counts return to within normal limits, and there are no signs or symptoms of the leukemia.

The chance of remission depends to a large part on a person’s specific prognostic factors, such as their age and health, and the presence of certain gene or chromosome changes in the leukemia cells.

For example, older people with AML generally don’t do as well as those who are younger. They often have trouble tolerating more intensive treatment, and they often have chromosome changes in their leukemia cells that are linked to a poorer outlook. About half of these people go into remission after initial treatment.

If the leukemia goes into remission, people typically get more chemo (consolidation) to try to get rid of any remaining leukemia cells. Up to half of people who get consolidation go into long-term remission (and may be cured). But this number is also affected by prognostic factors, such as a person’s age and health, and whether the leukemia cells have certain gene or chromosome changes. Getting an allogeneic stem cell transplant as consolidation is linked with a higher success rate, but it also has a higher risk of death.

Remission rates for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)

The outlook for people with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) tends to be better than for those with other subtypes of AML, although again prognostic factors can be important. About 9 out of 10 people with APL will go into remission with standard induction treatment. With consolidation and maintenance, about 9 out of 10 of these people stay in long-term remission.