List of Treatments for Leukemia

Allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplant

Overview
Stem cell transplant is sometimes used to treat people with leukemia. The majority of people with leukemia who undergo stem cell transplant receive an allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT), which means… read more

Arranon (Nelarabine)

Overview
Arranon is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). Arranon is indicated in… read more

Arzerra (Ofatumumab)

Overview
Arzerra is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL). Arzerra is often prescribed in combination with Cytoxan, Leukeran, or… read more

Asparlas (calaspargase pegol-mknl)

Overview
Asparlas is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat children and young adults up to 21 years old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Asparlas is also referred to by… read more

Aucatzyl (Obecabtagene Autoleucel)

Overview
Aucatzyl approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To be eligible, a person must have…

Autologous (self) stem cell transplant

Overview
Stem cell transplant is sometimes used to treat people with leukemia. The majority of people with leukemia who undergo stem cell transplant receive an allogeneic stem cell transplant, which means that the stem… read more

Besponsa (Inotuzumab ozogamicin)

Overview
Besponsa is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsed or refractory cases of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults. Besponsa is also… read more

Blincyto (Blinatumomab)

Overview
Blincyto is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsed or refractory cases of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults and children.… read more

Blood transfusion

Overview
Leukemia treatments including chemotherapy and radiation therapy can destroy bone marrow, making it impossible produce new blood cells. In people with some types of leukemia, cancer cells can damage the bone… read more

Bosulif (Bosutinib)

Overview
Bosulif is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) that have tested positive for the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+).… read more

Brukinsa (Zanubrutinib)

Overview
Brukinsa is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Brukinsa is also referred to by its…

Busulfan

Overview
Busulfan is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Busulfan is often combined with other drugs such as Cytoxan and Fludara… read more

Calquence (Acalabrutinib)

Overview
Calquence is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. Calquence is sometimes… read more

Campath (Alemtuzumab)

Overview
Campath is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Campath may also be prescribed off-label to treat B-cell… read more

Cerubidine (Daunorubicin)

Overview
Cerubidine is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to induce remission in acute forms of leukemia such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid… read more

Chemotherapy

Overview
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs that destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. Some doctors may refer to all medication prescribed for someone with leukemia as chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is… read more

Clinical trials

Overview
Depending on several factors, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials studying new treatments for leukemia. Clinical trials are the only way that new treatments for leukemia can be tested.… read more

Clolar (Clofarabine)

Overview
Clolar is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and young adults up to the age of 21. Clolar is indicated in… read more

Complementary and integrative therapies

Overview
According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, 65 percent of Americans who have ever been diagnosed with cancer have used non-traditional therapies. Complementary treatments are those used alongside… read more

Copiktra (Duvelisib)

Overview
Copiktra is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and follicular lymphoma (FL) in adults.… read more

Corticosteroids

Overview
Corticosteroids are a class of prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammation. Corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat people with leukemia.

The most common… read more

Cytarabine

Overview
Cytarabine is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating several types of leukemia including acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic… read more

Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)

Overview
Cytoxan is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating cancers including acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic… read more

Dacogen (Decitabine)

Overview
Dacogen is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Dacogen is also referred to by its drug name, decitabine.

Dacogen… read more

Daurismo (Glasdegib)

Overview
Daurismo is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in people 75 or older and those who cannot undergo intensive chemotherapy. Daurismo… read more

Erwinaze (Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi)

Overview
Erwinaze is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia in individuals who are hypersensitive to asparaginase derived from E. coli.… read more

Exercise

Overview
Regular physical activity has been shown to benefit people with leukemia in many ways. Exercise can improve the quality of life of those with leukemia during and after treatment. Being physically active helps… read more

Flu and pneumonia vaccinations

Overview
People who currently have or have had leukemia and other cancers are at greater risk for severe infections and serious complications from influenza (the flu) and pneumonia.

The U.S. Centers for Disease… read more

Fludara (Fludarabine)

Overview
Fludara is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Fludara is often prescribed in combination with other… read more

Gazyva (Obinutuzumab)

Overview
Gazyva is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and certain types of follicular lymphoma. Gazyva is often… read more

Gleevec (Imatinib)

Overview
Gleevec is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults and children with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that has tested positive for the Philadelphia chromosome… read more

Hydroxyurea

Overview
Hydroxyurea is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic myeloid leukemia as well as specific types of squamous cell carcinomas in combination with… read more

Iclusig (Ponatinib)

Overview
Iclusig is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in any phase that is positive for the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+), in… read more

Idamycin (Idarubicin)

Overview
Idamycin is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults. Idamycin is often combined with other drugs such as cytarabine in… read more

Idhifa (Enasidenib)

Overview
Idhifa is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has tested positive for a mutation in the isocitrate… read more

Imbruvica (Ibrutinib)

Overview
Imbruvica is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and several types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Imbruvica is also approved to… read more

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)

Overview
In some cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), cancerous versions of white blood cells known as plasma B cells proliferate, crowding out normal cells. Healthy plasma cells secrete proteins called… read more

Jaypirca (Pirtobrutinib)

Overview
Jaypirca is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat some cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and mantle cell lymphoma.… read more

Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel)

Overview
Kymriah is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in people up to age 25. It is also approved for some types of… read more

Leukapheresis

Overview
In some types of leukemia – most often acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) – white blood cells are greatly overproduced, causing a condition known as hyperleukocytosis. In… read more

Leukeran (Chlorambucil)

Overview
Leukeran is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphosarcoma, and giant follicular lymphoma.… read more

Leustatin (Cladribine)

Overview
Leustatin is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with hairy cell leukemia. Leustatin is sometimes used off-label to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and… read more

Lumoxiti (Moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk)

Overview
Lumoxiti is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia. Lumoxiti is indicated in cases where two prior… read more

Marqibo (Vincristine sulfate liposome)

Overview
Marqibo is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. food and drug administration (FDA) used to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Marqibo is… read more

Medical marijuana

Overview
Medical marijuana, also known as medical cannabis, is widely used to treat chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and insomnia, all common symptoms of leukemia or side effects of its treatment.… read more

Methotrexate

Overview
Methotrexate is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat some types of cancer, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methotrexate is sold under brand names… read more

Mustargen (Mechlorethamine)

Overview
Mustargen is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), mycosis fungoides, lymphosarcoma,… read more

Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin)

Overview
Mylotarg is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat newly diagnosed adults with CD33 positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adults and children with relapsed or… read more