Ultrasound microbubble imaging to detect kidney damage in children and teens with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Evaluation of Acute and Chronic Nephrotoxicity in Acute Lymphatic Leukemia Patients Using Ultrasound Localization Microscopy

NA · University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School · NCT07313878

We will try a special ultrasound microbubble technique plus blood and urine tests to see if they can find early kidney damage in children and teens treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages3 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School (other)
Drugs / interventionsradiation, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide
Locations1 site (Erlangen, Baveria)
Trial IDNCT07313878 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will use ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) with a microbubble contrast agent together with blood samples and urine analysis to image kidney microvasculature in children and adolescents aged 3 to under 18 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Participants may be survivors who have completed treatment or patients within 50 days of therapy start who have not yet received cyclophosphamide. The protocol combines noninvasive imaging for microvascular changes with laboratory markers such as albuminuria, an early sign of kidney damage, to detect acute and chronic nephrotoxicity. Patients with known clinically evident renal impairment or contraindications to the contrast agent are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 3 to under 18 with diagnosed ALL who have completed oncological treatment or are within 50 days of therapy start and have not yet received cyclophosphamide, and who do not have known clinical kidney impairment.

Not a fit: Patients with known clinically evident renal impairment, contraindications to SonoVue or other contrast agents, pregnancy or breastfeeding, tattoos over the scan area, or who are critically ill are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could detect kidney injury earlier than standard tests and enable earlier follow-up or interventions to reduce long-term kidney problems.

How similar studies have performed: Microbubble-enhanced ultrasound and urine albumin screening have shown promise for detecting early kidney microvascular changes in small studies, but ULM in pediatric ALL survivors is largely novel and not yet validated in large cohorts.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed acute lymphatic leukemia
* From 3 years to \< 18 years
* completed oncological treatment or treatment day \< 50 according to therapy protocol and no administration of CPM before first examination.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known allergic disposition to SonoVue / other contrast agents
* Tattoo in the area of the examination field
* Pregnancy
* Breastfeeding mothers
* Contraindication for the use of Sonovue
* Critical condition
* Known clinically evident renal impairment

Where this trial is running

Erlangen, Baveria

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemias, Long Term Follow-Up

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.