Experts at the forefront of research into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) today launched a new global information network dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of the disease. The AML Global Portal is dedicated to providing a trusted online resource for all healthcare professionals (HCPs) treating AML around the world through the sharing of expertise and the discussion of current and future practices.

"AML is a niche disease and often does not receive the same amount of attention as other hematological malignancies," said Gert Ossenkoppele, MD, professor in translational hematology at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, who is chair of the AML Global Portal Steering Committee.

"There is a clear need for more effective medical education about the diagnosis and management of AML and developing effective treatment strategies including the dissemination and discussion of clinical trial results" added Professor Ossenkoppele, who also chairs the AML working party of HOVON (Haemato Oncology Foundation for Adults in the Netherlands) and is Lead Participant of the WP 5 - AML of ELN (European LeukemiaNet).

The AML Global Portal aims to address the unmet educational and information needs among all the HCPs working to improve the treatment and outcome for patients with AML. It is hoped that a truly global community will be created, fostering greater communication between researchers and clinical practitioners. Some of the information on the Portal will be regularly updated: AML-specific news, topical feature articles, video case studies, expert video interviews, key drugs, treatment pathways information, and details of current, future, and past AML-related clinical studies.

Professor Ossenkoppele is joined on the Steering Committee by some of the worldwide experts in AML and hematology-oncology research including: Professor Clara Bloomfield (The Ohio State University, USA) as Co-Chair; Professor Sergio Amadori (University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Italy); Professor Charles Craddock (Queen Elisabeth Hospital, UK); Professor Harmut Döhner (Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Germany); Professor Hervé Dombret (Hôpital Saint-Louis, Université Paris Diderot, France); Professor David Grimwade (King's College, UK); Professor Gunnar Juliusson (Lunds Universitet, Sweden); Dr Ross Levine (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA); Professor Uwe Platzbecker (Technical University of Dresden Technische Universität Dresden, Germany); Dr Gail Roboz (Cornell University and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, USA); Professor Jacob Rowe (Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Israel); Dr Andre Schuh (Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Canada); Professor Jorge Sierra (Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau St. Antoni M. Claret, Spain);Dr Martin Tallman (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA); Professor Norbert Vey (CRLCC Institut Paoli Calmettes, France); Dr Rowland Walter (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, USA); Dr Andrew Wei (The Alfred Hospital, Australia).