Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
[Therapy of infections in patients with acute leukemia]
W Hiddemann1, G Maschmeyer, H Link
1Abteilung Hämatologie und Onkologie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
Background:
Infections are the major cause for treatment failure in acute leukemias. They mostly present as fever of unknown origin (FUO), a smaller but prognostically unfavorable group are pneumonias. The effective management of infectious complications requires a symptom and response adapted interventional strategy.
Therapeutical Approach:
In case of FUO standard therapy consists of the two drug combination of aminoglycoside plus acylaminopenicillin or third generation cephalosporine. In case of non-response carbapenems and a glycopeptide should be applied and a systemic antifungal treatment must be initiated. In pneumonia amphotericin B should be added to antibiotics already initially. Potent single agents with a broad spectrum of activity as well as new antifungal drugs provide attractive perspectives for future evaluations.
Conclusions:
By a consequent step-wise oscalating interventional treatment strategy infections in patients with acute leukemias can be successfully treated.
Insights
Effective management of infections in acute leukemia patients involves a step-wise treatment approach. This strategy successfully combats infectious complications, improving outcomes for leukemia patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Context:
- Infections are a primary cause of treatment failure in acute leukemias.
- Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and pneumonia are common infectious presentations.
- Prognosis is often unfavorable in patients with pneumonia.
Purpose:
- To outline an effective, symptom- and response-adapted interventional strategy for managing infections in acute leukemia patients.
- To detail therapeutic approaches for FUO and pneumonia in this vulnerable population.
Summary:
- Standard FUO therapy involves aminoglycoside plus acylaminopenicillin or third-generation cephalosporins.
- For non-responsive cases, carbapenems, glycopeptides, and systemic antifungals are recommended.
- Pneumonia cases require initial antibiotics plus amphotericin B; broad-spectrum agents and new antifungals offer future potential.
Impact:
- Successful treatment of infections in acute leukemia patients is achievable through a consequent, step-wise escalating intervention strategy.
- Improved management of infectious complications can enhance overall treatment success rates in acute leukemias.
Related Concept Videos
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Disorders of Leukocytes
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Cryptococcal Meningitis
Antiprotozoal Agents

