Chemotherapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to destroy or damage fast-growing cells like cancer cells. It is used to shrink tumors, slow cancer’s growth, relieve symptoms, or help people live longer. Chemotherapy drugs are given in different ways (intravenously, orally by a pill, or by injection).

For CML, chemotherapy is now rarely used as a main treatment option; however, it may be used as part of a stem cell transplant.

These are the chemotherapy drugs that are used most often to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list.

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. Each chemotherapy drug has its own set of side effects and ways of working. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your healthcare team. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about any side effects you do have.