Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Accelerated Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Blastic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Relapsed Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

A link to a list of current clinical trials is included for each treatment section. For some types or stages of cancer, there may not be any trials listed. Check with your doctor for clinical trials that are not listed here but may be right for you.

Treatment of chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia may include the following:

• Drug therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
• High-dose chemotherapy with donor stem cell transplant.
• Biologic therapy (interferon) with or without chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Splenectomy.
• A clinical trial of lower- dose chemotherapy with donor stem cell transplant.
• A clinical trial of a new treatment.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia ¹.

Treatment of accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia may include the following:

• Stem cell transplant.
• Drug therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
• Biologic therapy (interferon) with or without chemotherapy.
• High-dose chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Transfusion therapy to replace red blood cells, platelets, and sometimes white blood cells, to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• A clinical trial of a new treatment.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia ².

Treatment of blastic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia may include the following:

• Drug therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
• Chemotherapy using one or more drugs.
• High-dose chemotherapy.
• Donor stem cell transplant.
• Chemotherapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• A clinical trial of a new treatment.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with blastic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia ³.

Treatment of relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia may include the following:

• Drug therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
• Donor stem cell transplant.
• Donor lymphocyte infusion.
• Biologic therapy (interferon).
• A clinical trial of biologic therapy, combination chemotherapy, or other drug therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with relapsing chronic myelogenous leukemia ⁴.

Glossary Terms

A phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which the disease is progressing. In this phase, 10% to 19% of the cells in the blood and bone marrow are blast cells (immature blood cells).

Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Agents used in biological therapy include monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccines. These agents may also have a direct antitumor effect. Also called immunotherapy, biotherapy, biological response modifier therapy, and BRM therapy.

A phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which 20% or more of the cells in the blood or bone marrow are blast cells (immature blood cells). When tiredness, fever, and an enlarged spleen occur during the blastic phase, it is called blast crisis.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

CML. A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are made in the bone marrow. Also called CML, chronic granulocytic leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia.

A phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which fewer than 10% of the cells in the blood and bone marrow are blast cells (immature blood cells). This phase may last from several months to several years, and there may be no symptoms of leukemia.

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called a clinical study.

Treatment using more than one anticancer drug.

A type of therapy in which lymphocytes from the blood of a donor are given to a patient who has already received a stem cell transplant from the same donor. The donor lymphocytes may kill remaining cancer cells. Donor lymphocyte infusion is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) that has come back and myeloma. It is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

The amount of medicine taken, or radiation given, at one time.

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

An intensive drug treatment to kill cancer cells, but that also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other severe side effects. High-dose chemotherapy is usually followed by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to rebuild the bone marrow.

A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to infections and other diseases). Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow tumor growth. There are several types of interferons, including interferon-alpha, -beta, and -gamma. The body normally produces these substances. They are also made in the laboratory to treat cancer and other diseases.

Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.

A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. Also called a thrombocyte.

The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out various activities.

RBC. A cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called RBC and erythrocyte.

The return of signs and symptoms of cancer after a period of improvement.

An operation to remove the spleen.

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

A method of replacing immature blood-forming cells that were destroyed by cancer treatment. The stem cells are given to the person after treatment to help the bone marrow recover and continue producing healthy blood cells.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Treatment.

The infusion of components of blood or whole blood into the bloodstream. The blood may be donated from another person, or it may have been taken from the person earlier and stored until needed.

A drug that interferes with cell communication and growth and may prevent tumor growth. Some tyrosine kinase inhibitors are used to treat cancer.

Refers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. These cells are made by bone marrow and help the body fight infections and other diseases. Also called WBC.