Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Progress Through Collaboration

Overview

Journal J Clin Oncol

Specialty Oncology

Date 2015 Aug 26

PMID 26304874

Citations 411

Authors

Ching-Hon Pui

Jun J Yang

Stephen P Hunger

Rob Pieters

Martin Schrappe

Andrea Biondi

Ajay Vora

Andre Baruchel

Lewis B Silverman

Kjeld Schmiegelow

Gabriele Escherich

Keizo Horibe

Yves C M Benoit

Shai Izraeli

Allen Eng Juh Yeoh

Der-Cherng Liang

James R Downing

William E Evans

Mary V Relling

Charles G Mullighan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To review the impact of collaborative studies on advances in the biology and treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and adolescents.

Methods: A review of English literature on childhood ALL focusing on collaborative studies was performed. The resulting article was reviewed and revised by the committee chairs of the major ALL study groups.

Results: With long-term survival rates for ALL approaching 90% and the advent of high-resolution genome-wide analyses, several international study groups or consortia were established to conduct collaborative research to further improve outcome. As a result, treatment strategies have been improved for several subtypes of ALL, such as infant, MLL-rearranged, Philadelphia chromosome-positive, and Philadelphia chromosome-like ALL. Many recurrent genetic abnormalities that respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and multiple genetic determinants of drug resistance and toxicities have been identified to help develop targeted therapy. Several genetic polymorphisms have been recognized that show susceptibility to developing ALL and that help explain the racial/ethnic differences in the incidence of ALL.

Conclusion: The information gained from collaborative studies has helped decipher the heterogeneity of ALL to help improve personalized treatment, which will further advance the current high cure rate and the quality of life for children and adolescents with ALL.

Citing Articles

Characterization of , and Expression in Biological Subgroups of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

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Secondary neoplasms in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma: a single-center, retrospective study.

Ushida E, Toyoda H, Kohso A, Okumura Y, Niwa K, Ito T Front Pediatr. 2025; 13:1530832.

PMID: 39936127 PMC: 11810969. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2025.1530832.

Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the Bajio Region of Mexico: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Martinez Villegas O, Alatoma Medina N, Romero Vazquez M, Andrade Colmenero J, Tirado Lopez B, Toala Fernandez A Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2025; 41(1):60-68.

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Results of Cancer and Leukemia Group B 10102 (Alliance), a Phase 1/2 Study.

Luskin M, Yin J, Lozanski G, Curran E, Malnassy G, Mrozek K Cancer. 2025; 131(4):e35750.

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Transcription factor KLF2 is associated with the dysfunctional status of NK cells and the prognosis of pediatric B-ALL patients.

Wu F, Xu H, Zhang B Front Oncol. 2025; 14:1456004.

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