Yasmin Abaza, MD Assistant Professor, Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)
Yasmin Abaza, MD discusses advancements and challenges in the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) using immunotherapies. Over the past five decades, outcomes for AML patients have improved, but long-term survival rates remain low, highlighting the need for new treatment options. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a potent immunotherapy for AML, particularly in patients with intermediate or adverse risk disease. The transplantation’s effectiveness lies in the donor T cell’s ability to target and destroy leukemia cells through interactions with AML cells’ molecular markers. Despite its benefits, this approach is associated with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Efforts to develop effective immunotherapies for AML face challenges, including the lack of specific target antigens, clonal heterogeneity, and immune evasion by leukemic blasts. Despite limited success, ongoing research explores various approaches, such as CD123-directed therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR T cell therapies. Promising agents include CD47-targeted therapies like Magrolumab, immune checkpoint inhibitors like Sibatolumab targeting TIM-3, and CAR T cell therapies with unique mechanisms. For instance, a switchable autologous universal CAR T compound called C101 and allogeneic CAR T cells like Yukar T123 show potential in overcoming AML’s challenges. While significant progress is being made, further research is needed to optimize treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes in AML.