Can hypomethylating agents cure AML?

I think cure is a big word.

I'll tell my patients, you know,

today I have somebody
with acute myeloid leukemia.

I want to do my best
to get them in a better shape.

Means I want to,
I want to eradicate the disease.

I want to eradicate what they called

minimal disease that we don't see yet
morphologically.

These are cells hidden somewhere.
That can drive relapse/resistance down the road.

And we know when we give HMA only,

In AML, survival is about 8 to 9 months.
So we need to improve on that.

Now, you can tell me
the majority are having a short survival,

but they can tell you
if you look at the tail of the curve,

certain patients can have a long life

and whether you've call it cure or not,
that is up to you.

But I can tell you
there's a subset of patients

who can be cured down
the road who can have a long term survival.

You know,
I don't think HMA alone would make it.

Realistically, we need a combination
and we need eventually

to get patient to transplant

because while these hypomethylating agents
are being given for older patients.

Physicians give up. “Oh, he's an old patient.

Why want to go for a transplant?”

But, patients are sick often at the beginning
because of the disease.

So if we can treat them,
we can improve their conditions

and maybe do a non-intensive transplant,

that can consolidate a remission
and lead to long term cure.

So when I see somebody in my clinic
and who will tell me, “Hey doctor, I'm

not optimistic, the numbers are scary.”
I tell you, yes, the number’s scary,

but do not think of the numbers
to judge your future.

You're a unique person.

Well,

do everything to secure the best sequence
that can lead to the best long term outcome.

Will I succeeded in the majority?

The answer is unfortunately not today.

But will I see it in a certain patient
that answer is yes.

And maybe this Patient A is a unique patient
where I can offer a long term cure

by presenting, by administering
the best combination and the best sequence of

treatment that can lead eventually
to the best chances of long term cure.