This is the treatment to induce remission, meaning to reduce leukemia cells to a target level below which they are considered to be undetectable. Treatment may include both chemotherapy and targeted therapy (smart drugs). Elimination of leukemia cells in the bone marrow and their replacement with normal cells takes approximately one month, provided no additional complications arise.

Several chemotherapy protocols are used in remission induction treatment; success rates are comparable. Doxorubicin, vincristine, and asparaginase are the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs in these protocols. Depending on the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) subtype, targeted therapy with Rituximab may also be administered. The hematology team will select the most appropriate protocol for the patient, based on the center's expertise.