Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Treatment

The exact cause is undetermined in the majority of ALL cases. Although research is making progress, we do not yet know the reasons why some people develop ALL while others do not. However, some risk factors have been identified. These include:

• Radiation exposure
• Family history of ALL
• Down syndrome
• Having undergone chemotherapy in the past

ALL is broadly classified by which types of lymphocytes are affected. B-cell ALL affects B lymphocytes, cells that are produced and mature in the bone marrow. B lymphocytes serve an immune role in antibody production. T-cell ALL affects T lymphocytes. While T lymphocytes are also produced in the bone marrow, these cells mature in the thymus, an organ of the lymphatic system. T lymphocytes are largely responsible for cell-mediated immunity. B-cell ALL makes up about 85% of all ALL cases, while T-cell ALL represents about 15%.

ALL is characterized by abnormal lymphocytes which cannot function properly. Moreover, these lymphocytes take space and resources away from other blood cells, such as red blood cells and platelets, leading to symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of ALL include:

• Headaches
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Swollen and/or painful liver and spleen
• Flu-like symptoms, fevers, sweats, chills

A precise diagnosis of the exact ALL type is crucial for effective treatment. Sheba Medical Cancer Center is proud to have many high tech diagnostic techniques available, along with expert, experienced staff, for accurate diagnoses. Some of these techniques include bone marrow biopsies, FISH, and quantitative PCR.

The primary treatment for ALL is typically chemotherapy. At Sheba Medical Cancer Center, we use the latest approved chemotherapy drugs, administered under strict safety guidelines. For ALL cases that can be brought into remission, stem cell treatments may also be used. Our cutting edge Bone Marrow Clinic handles stem cell therapy for our patients, with hundred of treatments performed each year. The stem cells used are donated from family members or unrelated individuals. The cells are harvested from peripheral blood, cord blood, or bone marrow.

There are also other acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment options available at Sheba including radiation therapy, which may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Immunotherapy for ALL is another possibility, and we are conducting continuing research into this treatment approach.

Whatever treatment options are used, our patients always receive complete care from a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, hematologists, radiation oncologists, nursing, and support staff. Our teams are in constant communication and collaboration with their clinician and research colleagues in order to present our patients with the best possible treatments.