Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a roller coaster of a diagnosis. While treatment is often successful and remission rates are relatively high, relapse is all too common. And the disease’s survival rate—which is about 60% to 70% in patients under 20—is well below where it needs to be.

Fortunately, Phoenix Children’s hematologist-oncologist Dr. Alexander Ngwube is working to change that. With a $250,000 grant from Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, Dr. Ngwube’s research is about to step on the gas against AML recurrences.

About AML

AML accounts for about 20% of all childhood leukemias (cancers that originate in the blood or bone marrow); about 800 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. With AML, the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing new blood cells, makes abnormal white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets that never mature.

The danger of AML is twofold: Not only can the abnormal cells spread to other parts of the body, but the overproduction of abnormal cells means there’s less room for healthy cells. And without a high percentage of normal blood cells, patients are at risk for infection, anemia and bleeding. Treatment for AML in children usually involves chemotherapy and blood stem cell transplant.

Pilot study success

The vast majority (85% to 90%) of AML patients have success with treatment and go into remission. Regular maintenance chemotherapy may be needed to prevent the cancer from coming back. Still, AML returns in about 30% to 40% of children, many of whom end up dying from the disease, which tends to be more aggressive in recurrence.

Dr. Ngwube’s research is aimed at reducing the relapse rate by administering additional stem cells along with the maintenance chemotherapy. Instead of transplanting all the donor cells at once, Dr. Ngwube saves some and transplants them intermittently during remission.

“The idea is that the donor stem cells have more time to mature,” Dr. Ngwube says. “And so they can go about the business of attacking and destroying any leukemic cells that are still hanging around.”

In a pilot study that included 12 patients, Dr. Ngwube saw a 20% reduction in relapse rates using intermittent stem cell therapy. “We went from seeing a leukemia-free survival rate in the range of 60% and 70% to having a leukemia-free survival rate in the high 80s to 90s,” he says. “That’s huge.”

The next phase 

Now, with the grant from Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, Dr. Ngwube will be expanding his research into a prospective trial in which he’ll recruit 30 patients not only from Phoenix Children’s but also Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital in Connecticut, Mayo Clinic Children’s Center and others. 

“I wouldn’t have been able to continue this research without the grant, so I’m very grateful,” Dr. Ngwube says. “But at the end of the day, the people who benefit from these things are the wonderful families that we are privileged to care for.”

Step Up. Stop Cancer.

You can help our physicians and researchers continue their trailblazing work by supporting the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Phoenix Children’s.

Stories Matter

If you have a story about how your life has been touched by Phoenix Children’s, we want to hear from you. 

Related Stories

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

A nurse administers chemotherapy to a child.Text change 1: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 2: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 3: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 4: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Oliver’s Mind: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and one courageous 12-year-old is opening up about his mental health challenges in the hopes of reaching others who are struggling.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Mother Amy smiling at the camera, holding her baby, Drew.The Power of a Mother’s Love: As she prepares to celebrate Mother’s Day with her baby daughter, a first-time mom reflects on what it’s like to care for a child with a life-threatening medical condition.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Introducing Our 2023 Patient Ambassadors: Meet the eight patients who are serving as Phoenix Children’s ambassadors this year: Joey, Sutton, Joy, Nash, SJ, Chase, Elilai and CC.

Ellie sits at her kitchen table after her family sang the "Happy Birthday" song to her. Her cake is in front of her.A Life Worth Celebrating: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

Looking to the Future: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

The Gift of Knowledge: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.