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Clinical Trials

Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice for some Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Clinical trials are under way to develop treatments that increase the remission rate or cure the disease. Today's standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to invest funds in HL research.

Click here to read more about clinical trials.

AML Subtype

Determining the AML subtype is an important factor in treatment planning for your child. This determination is made based on certain features of the leukemia cells identified with the diagnostic tests. The doctor will speak with you about the drugs and “treatment protocols” (detailed plans of treatments and procedures) that are indicated based on your child’s AML subtype.

CML Phases and Prognostic Factors

CML has three phases. The phase of your chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) plays a large part in determining the type of treatment you'll receive. Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the phase of CML. Determining the CML phase is based primarily on the number of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the patient’s blood and bone marrow. 

Chronic Phase. Most patients are diagnosed with CML in the with chronic phase of the disease.

​People with chronic phase CML:

Treatment

Parents are advised to

• Seek treatment from a hematologist/oncologist who is experienced in treating JMML, or from a hematologist/oncologist who is in consultation with a cancer center.
• Speak with their child’s doctor about the most appropriate treatment. 

Without treatment, JMML progresses rapidly. There are two widely used JMML treatment protocols: stem cell transplantation and drug therapy.

Julian

I was a 10-year-old kid when I was diagnosed with leukemia. I was a happy, energetic kid who loved being outside and was a straight-A student. However, my whole childhood was put on hold indefinitely once I had cancer. Rather than having sleepovers at my friend’s houses, I was sleeping over at the hospital. It was hard to lose my energy, smile, confidence, and hair as treatment took over my life. It was really hard to understand as I was just a kid getting injections, procedures, chemotherapy, and surgery without truly understanding why.

Ph-Positive ALL Therapy

About 25 percent of adults with ALL have a subtype called “Ph-positive ALL” (also known as “Ph+ ALL” or “Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL”). The leukemia cells of these patients have the Philadelphia chromosome, which is formed by a translocation between parts of chromosomes 9 and 22. A piece of chromosome 9 breaks off and attaches to chromosome 22, and a piece of chromosome 22 similarly breaks off and attaches to chromosome 9. The abnormal chromosome 22 is known as the Philadelphia chromosome. This chromosomal alteration creates a fusion gene called BCR-ABL1.

Relapsed and Refractory

Some chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients still have leukemia cells in their bone marrow after initial treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). "Refractory" is the term used to refer to a disease that has not responded to the initial treatment. Relapse is the term used to refer to the return of a disease after a period of improvement. 

TKIs used for "initial" or first-line treatment for chronic phase CML include:

Sarah

I am the mother of Madelynn, aka Maddie, who was diagnosed with biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL) on March 13, 2023, following months of illness initially thought to be a sinus infection. Despite multiple doctor visits and two trips to the emergency room, it wasn’t until Maddie’s condition worsened that she received the correct diagnosis, which involved both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the Philadelphia chromosome. Maddie immediately began an aggressive chemotherapy regimen and spent the first month of her treatment in the hospital.

Sue

It’s 2015 and I am doing my happy dance! It’s been 20 years since my bone marrow transplant for my chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and I am still here enjoying what life brings my way.

George

My awareness of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) began years ago when a close family member was diagnosed with leukemia. In the wake of such devastating news, I felt compelled to lend a hand.  I am honored to join the LLS family in their fight to cure blood cancers.

Nanci

I was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in January 2009. My doctor said the average life span was three years if not for the newer drug called Gleevec, a drug that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) had been involved in the research of it. I started on Gleevec in February, but after a week I was taken off it to bring my immune system back up. Back on Gleevec, I reached remission in July 2009. I now have been in remission for 12½ years. I now take the generic brand due to the cost.

Kaidyn

Kaidyn was only six months old when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). About two months later, he received a bone marrow aspiration and was started on chemotherapy. Over the next ten months, Kaidyn was in and out of Children's Hospital of Oakland. It was there that he took his first steps, said his first words, and even flirted with every nurse in the oncology unit! Kaidyn is now a healthy three-year-old boy with an ear-to-ear grin who participates in his local Light The Night Walk each fall.

Reid

We just wanted to reach out and say how much The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has helped us. From attending Light The Night (LNT), to getting a blanket in the mail, to receiving funds when I couldn't work to keep Reid safe from the pandemic. Anytime I have needed assistance or reached out, the staff I have chatted with are so amazing and make you feel like you're so included and important. You have made us feel loved and gave us hope and inspiration. Reid was diagnosed at 2 years old, and he is almost done with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-cell ALL) treatment.

Jeff

A little over two years ago, I was diagnosed as having chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). I was shocked and devastated by the news and immediately began seeing an oncologist. My team from the cancer center has been uplifting, positive, and supportive from the very beginning! They have been successfully treating my cancer and have taught me not to fear my disease.

Story

Story was diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia (BAL) in July 2010. She was four years old at the time. She was treated with two rounds of “high-risk protocol” chemo. She was in complete remission after 60 days. However, because of her particular diagnosis, we were advised that she needed a bone marrow transplant to have the best chance of long-term remission. Her older sister, Lyric, who was just six at the time, was a perfect match. 

Rick

Rick Ostroff and his family have a legacy of philanthropy with a heartfelt connection to a disease he never had. During the first three years of his life, he spent time on the leukemia floor of Children’s Hospital in Boston but eventually was found to have the critical illness of gamma globulin anemia rather than then-fatal leukemia.

Relapsed and Refractory

Refractory AML: Most patients achieve a remission (an absence of signs and symptoms) after initial treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, some patients have residual leukemic cells in their marrow even after intensive treatment. Patients who have not achieved complete remission after two cycles of induction chemotherapy are usually diagnosed as having "refractory AML."

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms are changes in the body that may indicate the presence of disease. A sign is a change that the doctor sees during an exam or in a laboratory test result. A symptom is a change that a patient can see and/or feel.

It is common for a child with ALL to feel a loss of well-being because of the lack of normal, healthy blood cells.

Symptoms of a low red blood cell count (anemia) include:

Clinical Trials

Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best therapy for some non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. Clinical trials are under way to develop treatments that increase the remission rate of or cure the disease. Clinical trials are carefully designed and reviewed by expert clinicians and researchers to ensure safety and scientific accuracy. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to invest funds in NHL research.

Click here to read more about clinical trials.

Martin

I have a unique story. In 1978 after being married for three weeks, my wife was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Seven months later she passed away.

Sophia

When I was in middle school, my dad was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). During this time, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society deeply supported our family. Sadly, my dad passed in 2021, but my loved ones and I continue to honor his spirit by making the most out of our lives. I became a volunteer because I strive for a future where cancer has a cure. All donations are deeply appreciated and will go to cancer research! 

Tracey

I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2021 after a routine physical after my 50th birthday. It was a complete shock, and I was scared and unsure of what my future would look like. With the help of my doctors and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), I feel prepared to make informed decisions about my future. I participate in medical research studies and intend to join a clinical trial (that a clinical nurse at LLS told me about) when I need treatment.

Nikki

If you were to sit down with Nikki Henshaw, you'd find out she has a full and blessed life. She has a supportive husband, two beautiful children, and just started her own part-time business so she can be a stay-at-home mom. But in 1994 she found out that she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a diagnosis no 14-year-old wants to hear. While she did go into remission only a month later, she still had to undergo intense treatments for the next three years. As a result of her treatment, she had many challenging side effects.

Kelly

In 2001, I was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) at age three and survived thanks to three and a half years of intense treatment at the City of Hope Los Angeles. I am now 25 years old, a college graduate, and working for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), hoping to give back to those who helped save my life. I have volunteered with LLS since 2009 after being chosen as their "Girl of the Year" to inspire candidates to raise money for blood cancer research. In 2017, I became a candidate for the Student of the Year campaign raising over $60,000 in seven weeks.

Lana

Lana's journey with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) began in 1991 when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Overcoming numerous physical and cognitive challenges associated with her illness, Lana emerged as a dedicated advocate for cancer awareness and support. She became an integral part of the Orange County LLS community, participating in various programs such as Honored Hero, Light The Night, and So Cal Cancer Connection, among others.