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Other Treatments for Leukemia

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

Other Treatments for Leukemia

Blood Transfusions

Leukemia can decrease healthy blood cells. These cells may need to be replaced with one or more blood transfusions. Blood will be taken from a donor. The donor will have the same blood type as the person receiving the blood. The blood may be collected as whole blood. Or specific blood cells are pulled out. The blood cells will be passed through an IV. Through a transfer, a person may receive:

  • Red blood cells—to treat anemia
  • White blood cells—to improve immune system
  • Platelets—to manage clotting and bleeding

Bone Marrow Transplant

Leukemia treatment can badly damage bone marrow. It will kill the cancer, but also make it hard for the marrow to make healthy blood cells. A bone marrow transplant (BMT) can help the body regrow bone marrow. Stem cells are early stage blood cells. They can regrow the marrow. These stem cells may be collected from bone marrow, blood, or umbilical cord blood. They may be:

  • Autologous—Stem cells are taken from the person before they are treated.
    • Stem cells are frozen until they are needed.
    • May have cancer cells. Medicine may be given to prevent cancer growth.
  • Allogeneic—collected from a donor. The donor must be a blood and marrow match. A family member may be the best match.

Biologic Therapy

Biologic therapy uses drugs to kill or control cancer. It may be used alone or with other treatments. The drugs used are based on leukemia type and may include:

  • Blinatumomab
  • Rituximab
  • Obinutuzumab
  • Ofatumumab
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Interferon

The stem cells can then be passed through an IV. The cells travel through the blood and collect in the bones. There they will grow and replace marrow. It will take some time for the marrow to grow. It can then start to make healthy blood cells. The person will need to be in a hospital until the blood cells are at healthy levels. There are risks to this procedure. If it works well there will be healthy, cancer-free marrow.

References

  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in adults. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia.html.
  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-myeloid-leukemia.html.
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia.html.
  • Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-myeloid-leukemia.html.
  • Initial management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/initial-management-of-chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-cll.
  • Management of chronic myeloid leukemia in accelerated or blast phase. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/management-of-chronic-myeloid-leukemia-cml-in-accelerated-or-blast-phase.
  • Management of chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/management-of-chronic-myeloid-leukemia-cml-in-chronic-phase.
  • Management of relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/management-of-relapsed-or-refractory-chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-cll.

Contributors

  • Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Last Updated:
2022-11-01

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.