Disparities in childhood ALL: how patients' reports, biology, and neighborhoods shape outcomes
Official title: Project 4: Disparities in patient-reported outcomes, epigenetic profiles, and neighborhood social determinants of health in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11420849 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores why Latino children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have worse outcomes by looking at patient-reported experiences, epigenetic patterns, and neighborhood factors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $131,175 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA302464-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420849 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, particularly Latino patients and those with limited English proficiency, across multiple hospitals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not experiencing disparities related to social determinants or epigenetic factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
If this work succeeds, it could help doctors tailor care for Latino children with ALL by understanding how reports from families relate to biology and the surrounding community. The study uses patient surveys, biospecimens, and information about adverse events from multiple centers in Texas and California to connect social factors with treatment responses. By examining DNA methylation and other epigenetic markers, researchers hope to link neighborhood and access-to-care issues with health outcomes over time. Results could lead to interventions that address both medical and social determinants to reduce relapse and toxicity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially improves survival and quality of life for Latino children with ALL by addressing social and biological contributors to disparities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that social determinants and biological factors can influence cancer outcomes, but studies in childhood ALL with PROs and epigenetics are emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gramatges, Maria Monica — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gramatges, Maria Monica
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New Approaches for High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
This project looks for new ways to treat aggressive forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults, especially those that are hard to treat with current medicines.
-
Targeting a specific protein to improve treatment for certain types of leukemia
This study is looking at new ways to treat a tough type of leukemia called Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) by focusing on a protein called CDK6, which helps cancer cells grow, to see if targeting it can make treatments work better and help prevent the cancer from coming back, and patients m
-
Caregiver-led mobile tool to support healthy habits for kids treated for ALL
A caregiver-directed mobile program helps children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia build healthier daily routines.
-
Genomics of childhood ALL across global populations
A wide-ranging study looks at how inherited genetics influence the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia around the world.
-
Genomics of childhood ALL across diverse populations
A large international study will look at why children everywhere get acute lymphoblastic leukemia and how genetics may influence risk.
-
Combinatorial targeting for high-risk B-cell ALL treatment
A research effort at West Virginia University is exploring a combination therapy for adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia using targeted gene silencing and a small-molecule compound to improve treatment in patients.
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.