When journalist and environmental author Tatiana Schlossberg publicly shared her diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in an essay in The New Yorker, she put a spotlight on a rare but aggressive blood cancer that often develops quickly and without warning. In her account, Schlossberg described feeling healthy before her diagnosis, and learning that her AML was driven by Inversion 3, a rare genetic mutation. Her story reflects a reality clinicians know well: AML can move fast, and it isn’t a single disease, but many, shaped by distinct biological and genetic features.
That complexity is exactly why research and access to specialized, research-driven care matter.
What is AML?
AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It begins when the bone marrow produces large numbers of abnormal, immature white blood cells. These cells crowd out healthy blood-forming cells, leading to symptoms related to low red blood cells, platelets, and functioning white blood cells.
“AML is not one diagnosis. It’s a collection of diseases that behave very differently from patient to patient,” says hematologist/oncologist Amarendra K. Neppalli, MD, who serves as chief of plasma cell disorders and director of transplant and cellular therapy at the GW Cancer Center. “That biological diversity is what makes research so essential. The more we understand the disease, the better we can tailor treatment.”
Risk Factors: Often Unclear, Sometimes Unavoidable
In many cases, AML develops without a clear cause. However, factors that may increase risk include:
- Older age
- Smoking
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy for another cancer
- Certain chemical or environmental exposures
“Patients often ask, ‘Why did this happen to me?’” says Neppalli. “And the honest answer is that, for many people, we just don’t know. That uncertainty is one of the reasons continued research into AML biology is so important.”
Symptoms that Deserve Attention
Because AML affects normal blood cell production, symptoms often reflect either low blood counts or very high white cell count. These can include:
- Persistent fatigue or weakness
- Fevers or severe infections.
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Shortness of breath or pale skin
“These symptoms can overlap with many common illnesses,” Neppalli notes. “What’s important is paying attention to changes that don’t resolve, or that worsen over time, and seeking medical evaluation.”
How AML is Treated Today
Treatment for AML depends on multiple factors, including a patient’s age, overall health, and the genetic features of the leukemia.
Options may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies based on specific molecular findings
- Stem cell transplantation
- Participation in clinical trials
“For patients with higher-risk AML, Allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains one of the most powerful tools we have,” says Neppalli. “It’s not just about treating the cancer; it’s about giving the immune system the ability to recognize and control the disease long term.”
Stem Cell Transplantation, Cellular Therapy, and AML: How Research Is Expanding Options for Patients
For people diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), treatment decisions can feel overwhelming — and often urgent. Alongside chemotherapy and targeted drugs, two research-driven approaches are playing an increasingly important role in blood cancer care: stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy.
At the GW Cancer Center, these approaches are central to both patient care and ongoing research aimed at improving long-term outcomes.
Stem Cell Transplantation Explained
Stem cell transplantation (sometimes called a bone marrow transplant) replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells. For many patients with AML, especially those at higher risk of relapse, it can offer the best chance for long-term disease control.
“Stem cell transplantation isn’t just about replacing damaged cells,” explains Neppalli. “It allows us to rebuild the immune system in a way that helps recognize and suppress leukemia over time.”
Transplantation may be recommended after a patient achieves remission, depending on factors like:
- AML subtype and genetic features
- Response to initial treatment
- Age and overall health
The GW Cancer Center’s FACT-accredited Autologus Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program meets rigorous national standards for safety, quality, and outcomes—an important consideration for patients navigating complex treatment decisions.
The Power of Cellular Therapy: What Sets It Apart
Cellular therapy refers to treatments that use a patient’s own immune cells or donor cells to fight cancer. The best-known example is CAR T-cell therapy, which has transformed care for certain leukemias and lymphomas. While CAR T-cell therapy is not yet a standard treatment for AML, the science behind it is reshaping how researchers approach blood cancers more broadly.
“Cellular therapy has changed the trajectory of blood cancer research,” says Neppalli. “Even when a specific therapy isn’t immediately applicable to AML, it teaches us how to better harness the immune system — and that knowledge drives innovation across the field.”
Research at GW: Advancing the Next Generation of AML Care
While AML remains challenging, progress is being driven by research, particularly in understanding disease biology and developing more precise therapies.
At the GW Cancer Center, ongoing efforts include:
- Translational research connecting laboratory discoveries to patient care
- Clinical trials evaluating new drug combinations and treatment strategies
- Expanding expertise in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy
- Collaboration across immunotherapy and blood cancer research programs
“Cellular therapy has changed how we think about blood cancers,” Neppalli explains. “Even when a specific therapy isn’t yet standard for AML, the science behind it pushes the field forward — helping us identify new targets and smarter treatment approaches.”
He adds, “Progress in AML doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from sustained investment in research, collaboration, and giving patients access to innovation through clinical trials.”
A Measured but Real Sense of Hope
AML remains a serious diagnosis, and treatment can be intensive. But advances in stem cell transplantation, cellular therapy, and immunotherapy research are steadily expanding what’s possible. Stories like Schlossberg’s remind us how suddenly cancer can enter a life, and why advancing research and access to specialized care matter so deeply.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to turn scientific progress into meaningful outcomes for patients,” says Neppalli. “That means longer survival, better quality of life, and — ultimately — more cures.”
