Understanding why Latino children have a higher risk of childhood ALL
Official title: Understanding the Increased Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Latinos
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11520852 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $690,799 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA262263-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520852 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children of Latino ethnicity who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and their families, may benefit from insights arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy children or families with no involvement in ALL research may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
The study focuses on pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Latino children, a group with higher incidence and worse survival. Researchers will analyze a very large case‑control dataset to find genetic factors linked to ALL risk, exploring how Native American ancestry may influence susceptibility. The work involves genome-wide analyses and comparisons across multiple cohorts in the US and Central America to uncover potential disease mechanisms and prevention angles. Findings could point toward new ideas for reducing risk or tailoring early interventions for high‑risk populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Greater understanding of genetic risk factors could lead to earlier detection, targeted prevention strategies, and better outcomes for Latino children with ALL.
How similar studies have gone: Large GWAS meta-analyses have successfully identified genetic risk factors for pediatric ALL, supporting the potential impact of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Smith, Adam — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: De Smith, Adam
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Combinatorial targeting for high-risk B-cell ALL treatment
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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.