Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous and highly aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by a wide range of cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities that define distinct disease subgroups.
Treatment remains particularly challenging in older or unfit patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. For these individuals, current strategies often involve hypomethylating agents (HMAs) such as azacitidine (Vidaza®; Celgene Corporation, a Bristol-Myers Squibb company) or decitabine (Dacogen®; Janssen-Cilag/Otsuka Pharmaceutical), sometimes combined with venetoclax (Venclexta®; AbbVie and Genentech), a BCL-2 inhibitor. Although these regimens have improved response rates, the prognosis remains poor, with median overall survival typically under one year.
Despite the availability of intensive chemotherapy and targeted therapies, AML continues to represent a significant unmet medical need, with a 5-year overall survival rate of only 32%. This is largely due to the aggressive nature of the disease, compounded by comorbidities and frailty in this patient population.
Authors: Marianna Muller, MD, PharmD 1 and Lisa Ivanschitz, Ph.D. 2
1,2 Debiopharm, Lausanne, Vaud, 1006, Switzerland
Author: 1 Marianna Muller, MD. PharmD, Senior Medical Director, Oncology Debiopharm (corresponding author), 2 Lisa Ivanschitz, Ph.D., Associate Principal Scientist, Debiopharm
Key terms: CD37, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, AML, trans-membrane protein, tetraspanin family, hematopoietic cells, traditionally, B-cell malignancies, ADC, antibody-drug conjugate
Published In: ADC Review| Journal of Antibody-drug Conjugates
DOI: 10.14229/jadc.2025.09.19.001.
How to cite:
Muller M, Ivanschitz L. Can Precision ADC Therapy Overcome Current Barriers in AML? – J. ADC. September 19, 2025. DOI: 10.14229/jadc.2025.09.19.001.
Final Editorial Review: September 18, 2025
History:
- Original Manuscript Received: September 11, 2025
- Review results received: September 15, 2025
- Manuscript accepted for publication: September 19, 2025
- Article published online: September 22, 2025
Conflict of Interest
The author does not have any competing interests.
Featured image: Lausanne, Photo courtesy: © 2020 – 2025 Nik Harb on Unsplash. Used with permission.
© 2025 The Authors. Used with permission.
DOI: 10.14229/jadc.2025.09.19.001.
