Targeted therapy for ALL

Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific features of leukaemia cells, known as molecular targets, to stop the cancer growing and spreading.

Learn more about:

• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• Monoclonal antibodies
• Video: What is targeted therapy?

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)

These targeted therapy drugs are often used to treat people with ALL who have the Philadelphia chromosome. They work by blocking a protein called tyrosine kinase, which tells the leukaemia cells to grow and multiply. Without this signal, the cells die.

TKIs such as imatinib, dasatinib and ponatinib are taken as tablets. You may have TKIs on their own or in combination with chemotherapy.

Side effects may include:

• fatigue
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• skin rashes
• facial, hand or leg swelling
• anaemia, bruising or infections.

Monoclonal antibodies 

Monoclonal antibodies are made in a laboratory but behave like natural antibodies that fight infection and disease. They lock onto specific proteins on the surface of leukaemia cells to interfere with how they grow and survive.

Monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab, blinatumomab and inotuzumab are sometimes used for particular types of ALL. These drugs are given through a drip into a vein (intravenously), either on their own or in combination with chemotherapy.

Side effects may include:

• flu-like symptoms
• nausea and vomiting
• increased risk of infections
• fatigue.

For more on this, see our general section on Targeted therapy.

→ READ MORE: Radiation therapy

Video: What is targeted therapy?

Watch this short video to learn more about targeted and immunotherapy.