Analysis of Current and Potential Treatments for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common forms of adult leukemia in North Americans. However, it has been shown through the analysis of clinical studies and synopses of medical research that no current treatment indefinitely cures CLL or prolongs the life of CLL patients. Current CLL therapies are either symptomatic treatments (chemotherapy and immunotherapy) that do not improve complete remission rates or effective treatments that target the actual cancer but have excessive morbidity and toxicity rates (stem cell transplants). Conventional CLL treatments are inadequate according to the results of clinical trials and research of field experts. Potential fields of research (nanotechnology, gene therapy and phytotherapy) that show promise as CLL therapies according to the studies of researchers and scientists should be further examined. If a cure for CLL is to be found, the focus of treatment needs to move away from symptomatic relief toward the identification and remedy of the cause of the cancer. TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA 4 Analysis of Current and Potential Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia