Leukemia Treatment

Each month, we provide leukemia treatment to hundreds of patients, whereas most community cancer centers may see a dozen a year. The volume of leukemia patients we treat, and thus our familiarity with the disease, along with our unparalleled hematology oncology research program, is why oncologists all over the region refer patients to us for leukemia treatment.

The hematology experts at Winship use the latest diagnostic techniques to analyze your leukemia at every level. Then, your team of physicians — including your pathologist, hematologist, medical oncologist and more — will develop a coordinated approach to your individual cancer. They’ll consider the type of leukemia you have, as well as your individual cancer’s molecular makeup, to match you with the leukemia treatment options that have the absolute best chance of curing your disease, whether that’s a standard treatment, a novel therapy in clinical trial or a combination thereof.

As Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winship researchers are pioneers in leukemia treatment and lead numerous clinical trials each year. In fact, many of the drugs used to treat leukemia today came out of clinical trials performed at Winship, which means our patients were some of the first to benefit. In other words, we can offer you access to the latest leukemia treatments you won’t find at other cancer centers.

As Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winship researchers lead dozens of clinical trials testing new leukemia treatment options each year. In fact, many of the drugs used to treat leukemia today came out of clinical trials performed at Winship, which means our patients were some of the first to benefit.

At Winship, we offer the most comprehensive array of leukemia treatment options in Georgia and the expertise to know which treatments will work best for your individual cancer. Treatments can vary greatly depending on the type of leukemia, its stage or how developed it is along with other patient factors (comorbidities). Based on your unique cancer, your treatment plan may include: 

Chemotherapy

This treatment involves the use of medication taken orally or injected to attack cancer cells throughout the body. It’s often used in leukemia treatment to prevent cells in your bloodstream from undergoing further transformation and becoming cancerous. In many cases, multiple drugs are prescribed to increase efficacy.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted drug therapy is different from chemotherapy in that it targets a cancer’s specific gene mutations, selectively attacking cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Winship is currently collaborating in a large-scale clinical trial that monitors patients’ response to targeted therapy and can match patients whose cancer has mutated with additional therapies. 

Immunotherapy

This type of leukemia treatment uses drugs to help your body’s immune system better recognize and enhance its ability to attack abnormal cells. Winship is one of the centers pioneering the use of immunotherapies in leukemia treatment. Our Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center has also pioneered many advances in stem cell transplant and cellular therapies, including CAR T-cell therapy, which uses a patient’s own white blood cells (T-cells) to recognize and destroy cancerous cells. CAR T-cell treatments have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for patients who have relapsed or have been diagnosed with refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation

This type of immunotherapy may be used once your leukemia is in remission to prevent your cancer from returning. It involves taking chemotherapy drugs to kill off unhealthy bone marrow cells and then replacing them with bone marrow or stem cells from a donor.

Whether or not transplantation is necessary, we’ll begin planning for it from day one of your leukemia treatment. Our Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center team ensure all the right steps are taken, including securing a stem cell donor, so that if and when it becomes time for transplant, you won’t need to wait.

At Winship, we are committed to delivering the most effective leukemia treatment with the fewest possible side effects. But patients with leukemia must be monitored closely to ensure blood counts remain in healthy ranges and to treat any infections that arise. Also, coping with your disease and the side effects of leukemia treatment can be challenging. That’s why we want you to know that we’ll be with you every step of the way.

We have a supportive oncology team of specialized doctors and nurses on staff to help you with the physical, psychological and emotional aspects of living with leukemia, including symptom management and counseling. This team — with the help of counselors, dietitians, social service professionals and more — will be with you every step of the way, supporting you throughout your experience.