Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Adult acute myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal blood cells or platelets. City of Hope's national network of clinical locations provides the best in AML treatment, diagnoses and therapies.
“We feel blessed that we’re in a good place where we feel that everything’s going to be OK.”
- Myrella Rico, cancer survivor and acute myeloid leukemia caregiver
Acute myeloid leukemia involves myeloid stem cells. Normally, myeloid stem cells can self-renew and mature into red blood cells (to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues), white blood cells (to fight infections) and platelets (to stop bleeding).
In patients with AML, the myeloid stem cells behave abnormally and do not transform into mature blood cells, or they transform into irregular blood cells that do not function normally.
An accurate diagnosis is crucial to optimal treatment planning and outcomes. This is especially important for acute myeloid leukemia because this disease has numerous subtypes and factors that can determine specific courses of treatment.
At City of Hope, our team of experts can precisely diagnose AML, classify its subtype, identify its severity and find the best treatments for fighting the disease.
Your cancer is every bit as unique as you are, and that is why treatment at City of Hope focuses on you and your loved ones. This means our physicians will personally consult with you about your disease, treatment options and desired outcomes. We will also analyze your specific cancer for genetic and molecular markers to guide us to more effective therapies.
We’re aggressively pursuing ways to help our patients right now — not years from now. That focus puts City of Hope among the worldwide leaders in administering clinical trials. City of Hope conducts more than 400 clinical trials enrolling more than 6,000 patients in a given year.
At City of Hope, acute myeloid leukemia clinicians and researchers collaborate extensively to develop and evaluate new therapies for better survival and quality-of-life outcomes.
When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your loved ones take each step during and after your acute myeloid leukemia treatment.
Patient Stories
City of Hope is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Our doctors help develop and improve evidence-based acute myeloid leukemia treatment guidelines for patients throughout the country.
Our AML Program Highlights:
- Comprehensive genetic and molecular profiling of each patient's cancer to identify treatments that will produce the best outcomes
- A multidisciplinary team of specialists — including hematologists, medical and radiation oncologists, supportive care experts, and other professionals — who work together to provide coordinated, personalized care for you and your loved ones
- A world-class bone marrow and stem cell transplant program with better-than-expected survival outcomes for over a decade
- Leading-edge clinical trials for AML not available elsewhere, including T cell immunotherapy, mutation-specific AML drugs and novel stem cell transplant regimens
- Total marrow irradiation that targets radiation therapy to bone marrow, where AML originates, while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues and organs
- Long-term, follow-up program to minimize the risk of recurrence and improve quality of life for AML survivors
City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
