How inherited genes affect childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia worldwide
Genomics of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium
This project looks at inherited gene differences that relate to the risk of children developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia across many countries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140437 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a parent or patient, I would know that researchers are comparing DNA from children with and without ALL from many countries to find inherited genetic differences. They combine data through the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium and use genome-wide scans to find common risk variants and to build polygenic risk scores. The team emphasizes diverse populations and places with high disease burden so findings apply more broadly, using existing patient samples and medical records to link genes to who gets ALL. Their goal is to explain ancestry-related patterns in ALL risk and fill gaps where most genetic data have been from limited populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (and their families for DNA samples) as well as children without leukemia from the same populations for comparison.
Not a fit: People needing immediate treatment decisions now or patients whose leukemia is driven primarily by non-inherited (somatic) changes may not get direct clinical benefit from this genetic-risk research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify children who have higher inherited risk for ALL and guide future early-detection or prevention research.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genome-wide studies have found more than 15 inherited variants linked to childhood B-cell ALL and useful polygenic risk signals, but applying these approaches across many global and ancestrally diverse populations is less tested.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spector, Logan G. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Spector, Logan G.
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 below.