Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Treatment

Treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at Mayo Clinic is individualized based on your symptoms, disease stage and prognosis. Many people with no symptoms can be observed for many years without needing care. When treatment is required, options include chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies or a combination of the two. There is also an emerging role for bone marrow (stem cell) transplant treatment in select individuals. The following treatment options are available at Mayo Clinic:

Observation

Depending on the CLL stage, careful observation (watching) of the patient's condition is often an appropriate care approach. Early-stage CLL may take years to progress. During this time, regular blood tests and physical exams are used to carefully watch for signs of progression.

Chemotherapy

A number of chemotherapy drugs, administered through a vein (intravenously) or by mouth, are available to treat CLL. The goal of therapy is to kill cancer cells, while minimizing chemotherapy's effects on healthy cells. Mayo Clinic also has effective chemotherapy options for hairy cell leukemia, which can lead to complete remission in the majority of patients with this form of CLL.

Monoclonal antibody therapy

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that are infused into the body to target other proteins (antigens) on CLL cells. The antibodies work by binding to cancer cells and activating mechanisms that destroy them.

Chemo-immunotherapy

One of the most significant treatment advances in recent years has been the development of a combination treatment of chemotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, called chemo-immunotherapy. This combination produces higher treatment response rates in some people.

Blood and marrow transplantation

The use of blood and marrow stem cell transplantation in people with more aggressive or recurrent CLL has shown promise. This treatment is evolving and needs to be performed by a team, such as Mayo Clinic's, that is skilled and experienced in its use. The CLL team works closely with the blood and marrow transplant team to provide coordinated care for individuals undergoing a transplant.