Monoclonal Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system of the body in response to foreign attackers, such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Monoclonal antibodies are artificially made to mimic the mechanism of naturally released antibodies. They can bind to particular proteins on cancerous cells, thus making it easier for the immune system to identify and get rid of these cells. This treatment can be considered a form of targeted therapy as monoclonal antibodies target cancer cells’ proteins. Some common monoclonal antibodies for treating leukemia include rituximab, alemtuzumab, ofatumumab, obinutuzumab, or blinatumomab. [8]
Immunotherapy
In healthy individuals, the immune system can destroy abnormal cells to prevent cancer. However, certain cancer cells may hide from this system and lead to the disease. Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses medications to help the immune system identify these cancer cells and kill them. The main objective of this procedure is to produce T-cells, a special form of white blood cells that can recognize and attack specific cells caused by leukemia. Thanks to advancements in medical research, immunotherapy has been shown to provide many benefits in treating leukemia. Two common immunotherapy options include CAR T-cell and interferon. [9]
