New treatment to improve outcomes for Hispanic children with leukemia
Official title: Novel targeted therapy to reduce health disparities in pediatric leukemia
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11080906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to improve treatment for Hispanic and Latino children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), who often have a harder time responding to chemotherapy, by testing a new therapy that targets specific genetic factors to help them have better chances of recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $486,921 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278226-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Hispanic/Latino children and adolescents diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not of Hispanic/Latino descent or those with other types of leukemia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the higher death rates from B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in Hispanic/Latino children compared to non-Hispanic whites. It investigates the genetic factors, specifically the deletion of one IKZF1 allele, that contribute to poorer responses to chemotherapy in this population. By developing a targeted therapy using a CK2-specific inhibitor, the research aims to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments and reduce health disparities. Patients will be treated with this novel approach to improve their chances of survival and recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Hispanic children with leukemia, ultimately improving their survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting genetic factors in leukemia treatment, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dovat, Sinisa — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Dovat, Sinisa
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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.