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How likely is relapse, and what treatment options are there?
Charles Craddock
March 16, 2026
For AML World Awareness Day 2026, Know AML was pleased to speak with Know AML ambassadors Charles Craddock, an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) physician based in the United Kingdom, and Erik Aerts, a specialist hematology nurse based in Switzerland. We asked, How likely is relapse, and what treatment options are there?
Charles discusses treatments that aim to lower the risk of a person’s AML coming back (relapsing) once they have reached remission (i.e. when signs of leukemia are no longer detectable). For patients under 75 years old who are able to tolerate strong chemotherapy, this treatment – sometimes followed by a stem cell transplant – can lead to long-lasting remission. However, some patients with AML have certain changes in their genes (sections of DNA with instructions for cells on how to work properly) that can make chemotherapy less effective and increase the risk of AML coming back. In these cases, a stem cell transplant is often recommended to help lower this risk.
Charles explains that for patients older than 75 years who are unable to tolerate strong chemotherapy, gentler treatments are often used, such as venetoclax combined with azacitidine. Many patients are able to reach remission with these treatments, but the risk of AML coming back months or years later is high. He emphasizes that preventing relapse is one of the main challenges in AML and highlights the importance of clinical trials that are testing new treatment options. He encourages patients to discuss with their doctor whether a clinical trial might be an option for them.
Erik adds that hearing AML has returned after reaching remission can be emotionally devastating. Although many patients often feel responsible for their relapse, he emphasizes that when AML returns, it is because of the nature of the disease and is not caused by patients’ actions.
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