A tool to match children with relapsed cancer to clinical trials
Official title: GEARBOx - a multisite clinical trial matching tool for children with relapsed or refractory cancer
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10923956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a helpful tool called GEARBOx that makes it easier for kids with tough-to-treat cancers, like certain types of leukemia, to find and join clinical trials that could help them, by using important genetic information to match them with the right options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $494,303 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA269420-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have relapsed or refractory cancers, particularly acute myelogenous leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that are not included in the study's focus or those who are not experiencing relapsed or refractory disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops GEARBOx, a clinical trial matching tool designed specifically for children with relapsed or refractory cancers, such as acute myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The tool aims to simplify the process of matching patients to clinical trials by utilizing genomic and immunophenotype biomarker data, which can be complex and difficult to interpret. By automating the extraction of eligibility criteria and enhancing the information available to clinicians, GEARBOx seeks to improve the efficiency of enrolling children in appropriate clinical trials. The project also plans to expand the tool's capabilities to include additional cancer types and streamline data integration from third-party labs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to clinical trials for children with difficult-to-treat cancers, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using automated tools for matching patients to clinical trials, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volchenboum, Samuel — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Volchenboum, Samuel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
CBA-1535 (5T4/CD3) T‑cell engager given alone and with pembrolizumab for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests whether CBA-1535, a T‑cell engager that targets 5T4, is safe and shows early signs of benefit when given alone or with pembrolizumab to people with advanced solid tumors who have no standard treatment options.
-
Investigating a new cancer treatment for relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies
This study is testing a new cancer drug called BGB-16673 combined with other treatments to see if it can help people with tough-to-treat B-cell cancers feel better.
-
Outpatient teclistamab treatment plan for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma
This pilot will try giving teclistamab to adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in an outpatient clinic to see if it can be delivered safely and practically while measuring effects on caregivers.
-
Targeted therapies for childhood and adolescent cancer
This study is testing if new targeted treatments based on the genetic makeup of tumors can help kids and teens with cancer feel better and improve their chances of recovery.
-
Testing a new treatment for advanced cancer using a radiolabeled drug
This study is testing a new drug for adults with advanced cancer who have run out of other treatment options to see if it is safe and how well it works.
-
Using modified T cells to treat relapsed head and neck cancer
This study is testing a new treatment using modified immune cells to see if it can help people with relapsed head and neck cancer feel better and improve their outcomes.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.