Rich Cronin, lead singer of American rock band Lyte Funky Ones (LFO), battled with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for years. Leading oncologists tell SurvivorNet that recent developments in AML treatment are extending life for people like Cronin.
Known for the smash hit “Summer Girls,” (LFO) captivated audiences in the late 90’s, but disbanded following a tragic incident. Their lead singer, Rich Cronin, was diagnosed with AML in 2006 after complaining about headaches and exhaustion. He battled with AML for two years and went into a slight remission before the cancer returned, and he passed away in September 2010 at the age of 36.
Read MoreMaking Treatment Decisions For Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Due to more research around the disease, oncologists have been able to develop treatment options for AML patients and increased the likelihood of going to remission. For a healthy adult, the odds of going into a first remission after AML treatment are around 70 to 80%; however, when AML recurs, that number is halved to about 30 to 40% and it's halved again if an additional relapse occurs. Those statistics can be scary for many patients, and that’s why oncologists tell SurvivorNet that it’s important patients are honest and open about their goals concerning treatment.Dr. Mikkael Sekeres discusses treatment options for AML patients, and the likelihood of remission
"Some people see those numbers and say, 'If there's any chance, I'm gonna go for it.' And we will support them through that … other people hear those numbers and say, 'Not good enough for me.' And those are folks we will start to have a discussion about palliative care and hospice and whether that person wants to continue to be support with blood and platelet transfusions, or not even that,” Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, Director of the Leukemia Program at Cleveland Clinic, tells SurvivorNet.
FLT3 Inhibitors And New Drug Developments In Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
While an AML diagnosis might be scary to many people, researchers have spoken to SurvivorNet about a wave of new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs that could change the face of cancer treatment. FLT3 is a gene that powers leukemia cells growth, and FLT3 Inhibitors shut down that gene. Gilteritinib and Midostaurin are two currently approved FLT3 Inhibitors targeted towards patients with relapsed and refractory AML.
“Currently there are many trials ongoing combining Gilteritinib and other FLT3 Inhibitors with other drugs and agents we have on hand in leukemia treatment, so I think this gives us another option for another FLT3 Inhibitor to give to our patients right away as well as do additional research and studies to even improve treatment further,” Dr. Raoul Tibes, the Director of the Clinical Leukemia Program at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, tells SurvivorNet.
Dr. Raoul Tibes explains how combination drug therapies help with AML relapse
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