Pharmacological aspects of the treatment of leukaemia in childhood

Abstract

Leukaemia is the most common malignancy in childhood, with ALL being the most common subtype. However, in its entirety, leukaemia is a rare disease in childhood. Increasing number of risk factors, increase the likelihood of developing the disease and decreases the chances of a good prognosis. Diagnosis is mainly dependent on bone marrow biopsy, blood sampling and immunophenotyping, with symptoms only being complimentary. Treatment of such cancers involve both systemic chemotherapy and different targeted therapies. Fortunately with newer medical technology and research, more effective therapies are being tested and approved. Furthermore, combinations of both new and older models greatly improve the percentage of complete remission from leukaemia.