Understanding genetic factors that increase the risk of childhood leukemia
Official title: Variant to Function Mapping of B-ALL Risk Loci
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10941649 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into the genetic reasons behind B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in kids, especially focusing on Hispanic/Latino children, to find ways to prevent this common type of leukemia by understanding how certain genes affect the growth of B cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $695,464 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA292941-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10941649 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children under 11 years old, particularly those of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, who are at higher risk for B-ALL.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or do not have a genetic predisposition to B-ALL may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic causes of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common type of leukemia in children. By analyzing genetic data from diverse populations and using advanced techniques to edit genes in blood stem cells, the study aims to identify specific genetic variants that contribute to the development of this disease. The goal is to uncover how these variants affect the normal development of B cells, which could lead to better prevention strategies for at-risk children. This research is particularly focused on addressing disparities in outcomes for Hispanic/Latino children who are disproportionately affected by B-ALL.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and outcomes for children at risk of developing B-ALL.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genome-wide association studies have identified risk loci for B-ALL, but this research aims to take a novel approach by integrating genetic and epigenomic data to pinpoint causal variants.
Where this research is happening
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sankaran, Vijay Ganesh — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sankaran, Vijay Ganesh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Preventing childhood B-ALL through maternal diet and TVA intake
A study at Loyola University Chicago will explore whether a mother’s intake of TVA during pregnancy can help prevent childhood B-ALL in babies.
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Metabolic drivers of B-ALL diversity and relapse risk
A study at Stanford will explore how diverse B-cell receptor rearrangements and their metabolism shape relapse risk in children and adults with B-ALL, with the goal of improving detection and treatment.
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Donor CAR T Cells Added to Transplant to Prevent Relapse in adults with B-ALL
A new approach combines donor CAR-T cells targeting CD19 and CD22 with a stem cell transplant to lower relapse risk in adults with B-ALL.
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Improving CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric B-ALL
A physician-scientist at St. Jude aims to advance CAR T-cell therapy for children with high-risk B-ALL by testing new donor-derived and enhanced autologous CAR T-cell approaches in early-phase trials.
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Understanding how genetics contribute to childhood B-ALL (a type of leukemia)
Aims to map genetic risk factors that lead to relapse or development of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children, with a focus on diverse populations.
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Targeting VAV3 and ERa to treat high‑risk B-ALL in adults and children
This grant tests a new treatment strategy that combines a VAV3 inhibitor with an estrogen receptor degrader to help patients with difficult-to-treat B-ALL, including relapsed cases.
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.