Guest editorial: Introducing progress in hematology in this issue

Abstract

This issue of IJH contains five serial review articles on acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a molecularly heterogeneous neoplasm, and the understanding of its molecular pathogenesis continues to grow. The development of chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have increased 5-year survival rate to 40 % in AML patients younger than 60—65 years, whereas outcome in elderly AML patients remains dismal. In the first review, David Grimwade summarizes the molecular heterogeneity of AML and clinical significance of each molecular abnormality. In his work with the UK Medical Research Council (MRC), he has published important articles on prognostic factors in AML and characterization of the mechanisms underlying leukemiaassociated chromosomal translocations. A consensus had emerged that leukemogenesis requires two classes of mutations in AML (WHO classification 2008). The first of these is abnormalities in transcriptional factors that impair hematopoietic differentiation. Rearrangement of genes such as RUNX1, RARA, or MLL belongs to this class of mutations as well as point mutation of CEBPA (these are known as class II mutations). The second class of mutations consists of FLT3, KIT, or NRAS mutations (class I mutations), which are associated with cellular proliferation and/or survival. The discovery of the NPM1 mutation in 2007, however, suggested that the story is not so simple. From 2009, genome sequence analysis revealed novel gene mutations such as TET2, IDH1/2, and DNMT3A especially in AML showing normal karyotype. These gene products are associated with epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, and their biological significance in leukemogenesis is under investigation. In the second perspective, Martin Tallman, chairman of the Leukemia Committee for the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), reviews induction chemotherapy for AML. Although the fundamental drug combination for remission-induction, DNR or IDA, plus Ara-C, has not changed for more than 30 years, there is still no definitive protocol for dose and schedule. Furthermore, many trials are under way seeking to improve CR rate and survival; these experimental approaches include intensification of anthracycline, high-dose of Ara-C, addition of a third drug, priming usage of G-CSF, and combination with molecular targeted drug. Third, co-chairman of the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG) Shuichi Miyawaki was invited to overview Japanese studies on AML. The JALSG has just celebrated its 25th anniversary with the holding of an international symposium at Tokyo Forum on June 23–24, 2012, which this review article commemorates. JALSG has completed six studies of AML to date. As Ryuzo Ohno previously reviewed the first four JALSG studies from 1987 to 1997 (Int J Hematol. 72:272, 2000), Miyawaki focused primarily on the two studies after 1997. Working with Masamitsu Yanada, I co-authored the fourth review, focusing on elderly AML, which is becoming a more important issue in many countries. In the JALSG data, the median age of newly diagnosed patients with AML and high-risk MDS is around 65 years. Accordingly, at least half of AML patients are not included in clinical studies using intensive chemotherapy and HSCT. Since conventional therapy has limitations in improving outcomes in elderly AML, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. T. Naoe (&) Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan e-mail: tnaoe@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp