Acute monoblastic/monocytic leukemia | UniteRare Disease Library

Overview

Acute monoblastic/monocytic leukemia (also called AML-M5 or acute monocytic leukemia) is a fast-growing blood cancer. It is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this disease, the bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside your bones that makes blood cells — starts producing large numbers of abnormal, immature white blood cells called monocytes or monoblasts. These abnormal cells crowd out healthy blood cells, making it hard for the body to fight infections, carry oxygen, or stop bleeding. The disease can affect people of any age, but it is more common in children and young adults compared to other AML subtypes. Symptoms come on quickly and can include extreme tiredness, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, swollen gums, and swollen lymph nodes. Because monocytes tend to travel outside the bone marrow, this type of leukemia is more likely than other AML subtypes to spread to the skin, gums, and brain. Treatment usually involves intensive chemotherapy to destroy the leukemia cells, often followed by a stem cell transplant for eligible patients. With modern treatment, some patients achieve remission, but the disease can be aggressive and relapse is a real concern. Research into targeted therapies and immunotherapy is ongoing, offering hope for better outcomes in the future.

Also known as:

AML M5 Acute monoblastic or monocytic leukemia

Key symptoms:

Extreme tiredness and weaknessFrequent or severe infectionsEasy bruising or unexplained bleedingSwollen, bleeding, or painful gumsSkin rashes or lumps under the skin (leukemia cutis)Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groinFever without a clear causePale skinBone or joint painHeadaches or confusion (if leukemia spreads to the brain)Loss of appetite and unintended weight lossNight sweatsShortness of breath

Clinical phenotype terms (20)— hover any for plain English

Acute monocytic leukemiaHP:0004845Bone marrow hypercellularityHP:0031020Increased total lymphocyte countHP:0100827Progressive hearing impairmentHP:0001730Ankle swellingHP:0001785Hypochromic anemiaHP:0001931Central hypothyroidismHP:0011787Abnormality of multiple cell lineages in the bone marrowHP:0012145Cervical lymphadenopathyHP:0025289OliguriaHP:0100520Periorbital edemaHP:0100539

Inheritance

Sporadic

Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent

Age of Onset

Variable

Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood

Orphanet ↗NORD ↗

FDA & Trial Timeline

7 events

Jan 2025Venetoclax in Combination With Cladribine and Cytarabine Alternating With Azacitidine Plus Venetoclax for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Monocytic AML and Active Signaling Mutated AML

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute — PHASE2

TrialRECRUITING

Jul 2024Mitoxantrone for Venetoclax Resistant Acute Myeloid Leukemia

University of Colorado, Denver — PHASE1

TrialRECRUITING

Mar 2024Integrated Actionable Aging Assessment for Cancer Patients Pilot

University of Colorado, Denver — NA

TrialACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Mar 2022Venetoclax and Azacitidine Combined With Chidamide (VAC) for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Acute Monocytic Leukemia

The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University — PHASE2

TrialRECRUITING

Mar 2020Decitabine With Ruxolitinib, Fedratinib or Pacritinib for the Treatment of Accelerated/Blast Phase Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

University of Washington — PHASE2

TrialRECRUITING

Mar 2020CPX-351 or CLAG-M Regimen for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Other High-Grade Myeloid Neoplasms in Medically Less-Fit Patients

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — PHASE2

TrialACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Nov 2018Fractionated Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin in Treating Measurable Residual Disease in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

University of Washington — PHASE2

TrialRECRUITING

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Treatments

No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Acute monoblastic/monocytic leukemia.

7 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.

View clinical trials →

Clinical Trials

7 recruitingView all trials with filters →

Phase 25 trials

CPX-351 or CLAG-M Regimen for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Other High-Grade Myeloid Neoplasms in Medically Less-Fit Patients

Phase 2

Active

PI: Roland Walter (Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consort) · Sites: Seattle, Washington · Age: 18–99 yrs

Decitabine With Ruxolitinib, Fedratinib or Pacritinib for the Treatment of Accelerated/Blast Phase Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Phase 2

Actively Recruiting

PI: Anna Halpern (Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consort) · Sites: Seattle, Washington · Age: 18–99 yrs

Fractionated Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin in Treating Measurable Residual Disease in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Phase 2

Actively Recruiting

PI: Mary-Elizabeth Percival (Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consort) · Sites: Seattle, Washington · Age: 18–99 yrs

Venetoclax and Azacitidine Combined With Chidamide (VAC) for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Acute Monocytic Leukemia

Phase 2

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Suzhou, Jiangsu · Age: 18–99 yrs

Venetoclax in Combination With Cladribine and Cytarabine Alternating With Azacitidine Plus Venetoclax for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Monocytic AML and Active Signaling Mutated AML

Phase 2

Actively Recruiting

PI: Curtis A Lachowiez (OHSU Knight Cancer Institute) · Sites: Portland, Oregon · Age: 18–99 yrs

Phase 11 trial

Mitoxantrone for Venetoclax Resistant Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Phase 1

Actively Recruiting

PI: Andrew Kent, MD, PhD (University of Colorado, Denver) · Sites: Aurora, Colorado · Age: 18–80 yrs

N/A1 trial

Integrated Actionable Aging Assessment for Cancer Patients Pilot

N/A

Active

PI: Russell E Glasgow (University of Colorado, Denver) · Sites: Aurora, Colorado · Age: 65–111 yrs

Specialists

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BB

Barbara Buldini

Specialist