Predicting methotrexate-related brain side effects in children with ALL
Official title: A Systems Epidemiology Approach for Predicting Methotrexate Neurotoxicity in Pediatric Acute Leukemia
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11305990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project works to predict which children and teens with acute lymphoblastic leukemia will develop methotrexate-related neurotoxicity using clinical signs and biological data.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 21, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $609,209 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272981-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11305990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are children and adolescents diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are receiving methotrexate, with particular emphasis on enrolling Latino patients.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not treated with methotrexate, adults, people with other cancers, or those whose neurotoxicity occurs long after therapy may not benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine medical records, reports of early neurological symptoms, and biological samples such as blood and genetic tests to build a predictive model for methotrexate neurotoxicity. The team focuses on children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is paying special attention to why Latino patients may face higher risk. The approach links symptom tracking with lab-based biomarkers to identify host factors that signal increased toxicity risk. Study findings could inform closer monitoring or treatment adjustments to prevent severe brain side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors identify at-risk children earlier so treatments or monitoring can be adjusted to prevent or reduce methotrexate brain side effects and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work from the team shows early mild-to-moderate neurological symptoms often precede clinical methotrexate neurotoxicity, but comprehensive predictive models integrating clinical and biological data remain novel and require validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Austin L — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Brown, Austin L
Related research
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Reducing leukemia disparities in Latino children and teens
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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.