Other Treatments for Leukemia

Biological Therapy

Biological therapy involves using medications or substances made by the body to increase or restore your body's natural defenses against cancer. It is also called immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies, interferon, and cancer vaccines are examples of biological therapies used to treat some types of leukemia. Many of these are still in the development and testing stage. If you are interested in finding out whether you might be an appropriate patient to participate in a clinical trial of immunotherapies, you should ask your doctor.

Special Considerations

Discuss the benefits and risks of the various treatments with your doctor.

References:

American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp .

Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.

Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2001.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website. Available at: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls .

National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/ .

Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. Mosby, Inc.; 2001.

Last reviewed June 2008 by ]]>Igor Puzanov, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.