New targeted treatments for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Official title: Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Improving outcomes through incorporation of novel targeted therapies into treatment for relapsed and newly diagnosed disease
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11194983 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Combining newer targeted drugs and precision medicine to help children and young adults with relapsed or high‑risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia live longer and have fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $172,013 |
| NIH project number | 5R50CA288324-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194983 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children, adolescents, and young adults with newly diagnosed high‑risk or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are eligible for targeted agents or cellular therapy trials at participating centers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of leukemia, those who are medically unable to receive investigational targeted agents or CAR‑T, or those unable to access participating trial centers may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
If your child has relapsed or high‑risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), this work offers molecular screening to match patients with targeted drugs or cellular therapies through Children's Oncology Group trials. Researchers are testing treatments such as antibody‑drug conjugates and CAR‑T approaches and are enrolling patients at pediatric cancer centers. The team will closely track side effects, study which patients are most likely to experience toxicities, and use genetic and pharmacogenomic information to personalize care. The effort is run by pediatric leukemia specialists working across a national trial network to bring these options to eligible children and young adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to more effective, less toxic treatment options and better survival for children and young adults with relapsed or high‑risk ALL.
How similar studies have gone: Drugs like inotuzumab and CD19 CAR‑T therapies have already improved outcomes for many patients with relapsed ALL, but using these agents earlier or in new combinations is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'brien, Maureen Megan — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: O'brien, Maureen Megan
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.