Mutational clues to childhood ALL in California
Official title: Mutational Epidemiology of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in California
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11346208 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how mutations in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia relate to environmental exposures in California to help prevent the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,486,215 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA313241-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11346208 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with or at risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and families participating in pediatric cancer research, may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Families without access to the required data or geographic participation areas may derive less direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how patterns of tumor mutations in childhood ALL might connect with environmental factors like air pollution and UV exposure. It combines epidemiology with genetic analysis to uncover potential causes, aiming to explain why ALL develops in some children more than others. The study would involve collecting tumor data and exposure histories to identify mutational patterns linked to environmental risks. If successful, it could point toward prevention strategies and inform future therapies for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to better prevention and earlier intervention for children at risk of ALL.
How similar studies have gone: Mutational epidemiology has yielded insights in adult cancers; applying it to childhood ALL is a novel approach with potential for meaningful discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Smith, Adam — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: De Smith, Adam
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
Understanding why Latino children have a higher risk of childhood ALL
This project looks at why Latino children are more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia and whether genetic ancestry plays a role, with the goal of improving prevention and outcomes.
-
Targeting obesity to improve survival for children with ALL
A new approach explores whether reducing obesity-related factors can make chemotherapy work better for kids with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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.