Single cell genomics in AML: extending the frontiers of AML research.

The era of genomic medicine has allowed AML researchers to improve disease characterization, optimize risk stratification systems, and develop new treatments. While there has been significant progress, AML remains a lethal cancer due to its remarkably complex and plastic cellular architecture. This degree of heterogeneity continues to pose a major challenge as it limits the ability to identify and therefore eradicate the cells responsible for leukemogenesis and treatment failures. In recent years, the field of single cell genomics has led to unprecedented strides in the ability to characterize cellular heterogeneity and holds promise for the study of AML. In this review, we will highlight advancements in single cell technologies, outline important shortcomings in our understanding of AML biology and clinical management, and discuss how single cell genomics can not only address these shortcomings, but also provide unique opportunities in basic and translational AML research.