RATIONALE: Some acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients are unresponsive to treatment or have remission followed by worsening of disease (known as relapsed/refractory AML [R/RAML]) after standardized treatment. The CAG/HAG regimen is not often used clinically because heterogenous patient responses, resistance, and hematopoietic bone marrow dysfunction have been reported with its use. We present 2 cases of R/RAML treated with a new combined therapy (venetoclax+ hypomethylating agents [HMAs]) in which the HAG dose was adjusted and effective in the first course of treatment. PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Case 1 involved a 23-year-old man who had suffered from AML for >4 years, and his FLT3 mutation status was positive at the initial diagnosis. After the first course of treatment with the standard-dose "Da" plan, the patient experienced complete remission. During the subsequent courses of treatment, the patient experienced 6 recurrences and was treated with the "ID Ara-C + MIT + sidaaniline" and "CAG + sidaaniline" regimens. However, the disease did not respond. Case 2 involved a 26-year-old man who received chemotherapy with the "Da," "ID Ara-C," "decitabine + half-dose CAG," and "HAE" regimens. In this patients, remission could not be achieved. Reintroduction of the "ia" scheme also failed after treatment in our hospital. DIAGNOSIS: Two patients were diagnosed with R/RAML. INTERVENTIONS: The patient in case 2 received chemotherapy interventions, whereas the patient in case 1 refused to receive medical services at our hospital. OUTCOMES: The patient in case 1 was discharged after complete response treatment due to economic reasons and relapsed 2 months later. The patient ultimately died of infection and heart failure. The patient in case 2 is receiving a second cycle of chemotherapy. LESSONS: We recommend the "venetoclax + HMAs combined with dose-adjusted CAH/HAG" regimen as an effective treatment for adult R/RAML.