Targeted therapy to reduce health disparities in pediatric leukemia
Official title: Novel targeted therapy to reduce health disparities in pediatric leukemia
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11324192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric leukemial therapy study focused on Hispanic/Latino children to improve outcomes by addressing genetic factors that make their leukemia harder to treat.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $541,022 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278226-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents with B-ALL, particularly those of Hispanic/Latino heritage who carry IKZF1 deletions and may benefit from CK2-targeted strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without IKZF1 deletion or those unlikely to respond to CK2 inhibition may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand why some Latino children with B-cell ALL have worse outcomes and to test a targeted treatment strategy. Researchers have found that a common genetic alteration (IKZF1 deletion) and its interaction with chemotherapy may drive resistance, and they will explore whether blocking CK2 can restore drug sensitivity. The study combines laboratory work on patient-derived leukemia cells with a targeted therapy approach that could be added to current treatment regimens. If successful, this could lead to more effective, less disparate care for affected children. The effort will involve collaborations with clinicians and scientists to translate lab findings into potential clinical options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could improve survival rates for Hispanic/Latino children with B-ALL and reduce racial/ethnic disparities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that CK2 inhibitors can restore IKAROS function and potentially enhance chemotherapy response in B-ALL cells, supporting a translational path.
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.