• Age ≥ 18 years

• Participants must have pathologically confirmed, newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and characterized by 20% or more blasts in the peripheral blood or bone marrow. The AML may be either:

‣ De Novo: AML in patients with no clinical history of prior myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), myeloproliferative disorder, or exposure to potentially leukemogenic therapies or agents

⁃ Secondary AML (sAML): refers to an acute leukemic process (1) evolving from known prior myelodysplasia, myeloproliferative disorder, or aplastic anemia with or without treatment or; (2) as a product of previous exposure to a proven leukemogenic chemotherapeutic agent

• Eligible for intensive induction chemotherapy, according to their treating physician

• ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%, see Appendix A)

• Left ventricular ejection fraction \> 50% as measured by echocardiogram or MUGA scan

• Must not have received systemic prior antineoplastic therapy for treatment for the newly diagnosed AML, including radiation therapy, except hydroxyurea for the purposes of cytoreduction. Patients may also have received all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) if there is an early suspicion of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL, M3-AML), although if confirmed to have APL these patients will be excluded from the study.

• Adequate renal function as defined by calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min (Cockcroft-Gault formula or measured by 24 hours urine collection).

• Adequate hepatic function per local laboratory reference ranges as follows:

‣ Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤ 3.0X ULN (unless secondary to leukemia, in which case patient may be eligible after consideration and approval by the Overall PI)

⁃ Total bilirubin ≤ 2.0 x ULN (unless bilirubin rise is known to be due to Gilbert's syndrome or of non-hepatic origin)

• The effects of venetoclax on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason and because other chemotherapeutic agents are known to be teratogenic, women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Women should use contraceptives for at least 30 days following the last dose of venetoclax. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and 4 months after completion of therapy.

• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.