Mark Levis, MD, PhD, from John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA, provides us with an insight into how FLT3, a common mutation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is one of the most problematic forms of AML in terms of treatment. Although FLT3-mutated AML patients may benefit from allogenic transplants, he notes that there is a need for better therapy and here he describes the potential of using FLT3 inhibitors in either treating or preventing relapse in patients with this variant of the disease. This interview was filmed at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2017 Annual Congress in Madrid, Spain.