Other treatment options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Stimulating the immune system to fight CLL.
Immunotherapy involves treating the disease by enhancing, suppressing, or inducing
an immune response. Active agents of immunotherapy are called
immunomodulators or
cytokines.
The use of immunotherapy for CLL is still in the early stages of development. However,
one type of immunotherapy is currently used:
Monoclonal antibody therapy: In monoclonal antibody therapy, laboratory-made
antibodies are used to help the body fight CLL.
For CLL, monoclonal antibody therapies are immune proteins that are made in the
lab. The antibodies attach themselves to the cancer cell causing the cell to die.
Monoclonal antibody therapy:
- targets and attacks cancer cells
- delivers toxins directly to the cancer cells with less harm to healthy cells
Get suggestions for managing the side effects
of treatment