Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Treatment and Management Updates.

OBJECTIVE: To present an overview of novel therapies for the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and to discuss nursing implications for these new therapies.

DATA SOURCES: Published manuscripts, Web sites, and pharmaceutical package inserts.

CONCLUSION: Several promising therapies have emerged in the treatment of relapsed/refractory and minimal residual disease acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: With the changing paradigm for hematologic malignancies, nurses must remain current in their knowledge regarding novel therapies, including their administration, toxicity profile, and management of adverse events. This article addresses the clinical benefits of novel agents and nursing implications for those agents.