FLT3 inhibitors
Oral kinase inhibitors for acute myeloid leukaemia with FLT3 mutations: added to first-line chemotherapy or used alone at relapse.
What they are
FLT3 carries activating mutations in many cases of AML, as internal tandem duplications (ITD) or point mutations. Midostaurin is added to induction chemotherapy in newly diagnosed disease; gilteritinib is used alone at relapse; quizartinib is another FLT3 inhibitor.
Mechanism of action
FLT3 is a receptor tyrosine kinase on blood progenitors. Activating mutations keep it switched on, driving blast growth and survival. FLT3 inhibitors bind the ATP pocket and cut off this signal; blasts stop growing and some differentiate.
Target: FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase
Drugs in this class
- MidostaurinAn oral multikinase inhibitor of FLT3 and KIT, added to chemotherapy in FLT3-mutated AML and used in advanced systemic…FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase (also KIT and other kinases)
- GilteritinibAn oral FLT3 inhibitor for relapsed or refractory FLT3-mutated AML. Watch for differentiation syndrome, QT…FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase (also other receptor tyrosine kinases)
Others in the class
- Quizartinib
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What are the two main types of FLT3 mutation in AML?
Internal tandem duplications (ITD) and point mutations.
Which FLT3 inhibitor is added to induction chemotherapy?
Midostaurin.
Which FLT3 inhibitor carries a differentiation syndrome warning and is used at relapse?
Gilteritinib.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); Midostaurin: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2017); Gilteritinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2019); RCSB PDB - 6JQR: Crystal structure of FLT3 in complex with gilteritinib (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.