Venetoclax induces rapid elimination of <i>NPM1</i> mutant measurable residual disease in combination with low‐intensity chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukaemia

Abstract

Based on promising results in older adults with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), we treated patients with NPM1^mut measurable residual disease (MRD) using off-label venetoclax in combination with low-dose cytarabine or azacitidine. Twelve consecutive patients were retrospectively identified, including five with molecular persistence and seven with molecular relapse/progression. All patients with molecular persistence achieved durable molecular complete remission (CR_MRD- ) without transplantation. Six of seven patients with molecular relapse/progression achieved CR_MRD- after 1-2 cycles of venetoclax. This paper highlights the promising efficacy of venetoclax-based therapy to reduce the relapse risk in patients with persistent or rising NPM1^mut MRD.