Leukemia

Frequently Asked Questions

20. What new treatments for leukemia are being developed? - cont'd

Because leukemia is a complex disease, using more than one type of treatment may be beneficial. Combining therapies can complement and enhance the effects of each. For example, patients receiving a stem cell transplant also undergo chemotherapy or radiation to prepare their body for the new stem cells. Also, researchers at the National Cancer Institute are looking at giving drugs to patients before and after the transplant that will stop the patient's immune system from attacking the transplanted cells. (Answer continues on next page.)