American Society of Hematology 2026 guidelines for treating newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia in older adults

BACKGROUND: Older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represent a cancer population in which disease-based risk factors, comorbidities, patient goals, and treatment risks and benefits influence treatment recommendations. OBJECTIVE: These evidence-based guidelines from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) are intended to support patients, clinicians, and other health professionals in their decisions about management of AML in older adults. METHODS: ASH formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel, including patient representatives, that minimized bias from conflicts of interest. Clarity Research Group at McMaster University supported the guideline development process, including updating or performing systematic evidence reviews. The panel prioritized questions and outcomes according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The panel used the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation approach, including evidence-to-decision frameworks, to assess evidence and make recommendations. RESULTS: The panel agreed on 9 critical clinical recommendations for managing AML in older adults, mirroring real-time practitioner-patient conversations: the decision to pursue antileukemic treatment vs best supportive management; traditional induction and postremission therapy vs hypomethylating agent or low-dose cytarabine, or combinations with venetoclax; the role and duration of postremission therapy; combinations with venetoclax vs monotherapy; the use of targeted therapy, including isocitrate dehydrogenase and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors, in appropriate patients; the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in nonfavorable prognosis AML; and the role of transfusion support for patients no longer receiving antileukemic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Key recommendations of these guidelines include treatment over best supportive care; venetoclax-based regimens over monotherapies; and incorporation of FLT3 inhibitors into traditional induction and postremission therapy.