![]() In some cases, postremission chemotherapy also includes drugs that were not used during induction treatment. They receive lower doses of chemotherapy drugs and, as a result, tend to have less severe side effects. Most maintenance drugs are given orally and, typically, patients are treated in an outpatient setting. The third phase of ALL treatment is called “maintenance.” The goal of maintenance therapy is to prevent disease relapse after induction and consolidation therapy. Some of the drugs used in the consolidation treatment phase include Generally, several chemotherapy drugs are combined to help prevent the leukemia cells from developing drug resistance. During this phase, the chemotherapy drugs are given in higher doses than those given during the induction phase. The combination of drugs and the duration of therapy for consolidation regimens vary but can consist of combinations of drugs similar to those drugs used during the induction phase. The second phase of chemotherapy is called “consolidation” therapy or "intensification" therapy. Maintenance therapy (given for about 2 years for adults and 2-3 years for children).Ĭonsolidation Therapy.Consolidation therapy (given in cycles over 4 to 6 months).Post-remission therapy consists of two phases: Ability to tolerate intensive treatment,.Individual factors that may influence the treatment approach include: Residual leukemia cells remain after remission, so the optimal treatment for ALL patients requires additional intensive postremission therapy. “Postremission therapy” refers to ALL treatments given to patients after their disease is in a complete remission. Recommendations for additional MRD testing depend on the treatment regimen used.įor patients in remission but who test positive for MRD, blinatumomab (Blincyto®) may be prescribed. It is often recommended that MRD testing be done after the completion of induction therapy. The tests are much more sensitive than standard tests that examine cell samples with a microscope. These three tests typically use samples of bone marrow cells, but in some cases blood samples can be used. The tests used most often to detect MRD are flow cytometry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and next-generation sequencing. It is important to get tested for MRD after achieving remission. The presence of these cells is referred to as “minimal residual disease (MRD).” Patients who have achieved remission after initial treatment for this type of ALL, but have MRD are at increased risk of disease relapse. To see a list of standard drugs and drugs under clinical study to treat ALL, order or download The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's free booklet Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in Adultsįor information about the drugs listed on this page, visit Drug Listings.Įven when a complete remission is achieved, some leukemia cells that cannot be seen with a microscope may still remain in the body. ![]() All signs and symptoms of ALL are gone.No more than 5 percent of cells in the bone marrow are blast cells.With or without pegaspargase (PEG-L asparaginase, Oncaspar®) and/or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®)Īt the end of induction therapy, doctors will check to see whether the patient has achieved a complete remission.Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone).Anthracyclines (daunorubicin, doxorubicin ).Induction regimens for ALL generally use a combination of drugs that include The goal of induction therapy is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible in order to achieve (induce) a remission. Typically, initial therapy requires a hospital stay of 4 to 6 weeks. The first phase of treatment is induction therapy. Treatment to prevent central nervous system prophylaxis.Yet, not everyone experiences side effects the same way. The Trish Greene Back to School Programīecause of acute lymphoblastic leukemia's (ALL's) rapid growth, most patients need to start chemotherapy soon after diagnosis.Ĭhemotherapy drugs kill fast-growing cells throughout the body including cancer cells and normal, healthy cells. The damage to normal, healthy cells can cause side effects.
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