Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in Children
Here is some information about the types of second opinions we offer and how to request one.
Click here to learn about gene modified T cell treatments for leukemia
About 80 percent of all childhood leukemia is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), also called acute lymphocyte or lymphoid leukemia. There are about 3,000 cases of ALL in children and youth up to age 21 each year in the U.S.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children has one of the highest cure rates and we are specially equipped at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to diagnose and effectively treat this type of leukemia and all childhood leukemias.
Through our Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma Program in partnership with our Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, we bring together a team of experts in your child's particular type of leukemia, to develop a comprehensive leukemia treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome.
What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children affects the immature forms of white blood cells called lymphocytes. There are two basic types of lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, and their immature forms are the source of the two corresponding subsets of ALL, T-ALL and B- or pre-B ALL. The job of lymphocytes is to identify and combat foreign substances, bacteria and viruses in the body. In ALL, the bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes (called lymphoblasts) that do not mature correctly. The lymphoblasts overproduce and crowd out normal blood-forming cells. Immature blood cells (blasts) do not have the ability to fight infection.
Learn more about signs and symptoms of pediatric leukemia.
Learn more about how pediatric leukemia is diagnosed and treated.
Important New Research for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment
Gene modified T cell therapy for ALL (CART19 cells to treat ALL)
Many people are contacting us because of recent news reports about a study using genetically modified T cells to treat patients with B cell cancers such as Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), B cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), the adult disease Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and other B cell malignancies. We are working with the University of Pennsylvania to test this treatment in adults (at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center) and children (at CHOP). Because of the overwhelming response to the media coverage of the trial, we are providing additional information via this website.
This study is relevant for those with B cell cancers only, not other leukemias or other pediatric cancers.
The trial is currently on hold and not immediately enrolling additional patients. As it reopens in the next 1-2 months, only very few patients will be able to be treated.
- Autologous T cells are immune cells taken from a patient's own blood stream. These cells are then modified to express a protein on their surface that will recognize and bind to a target on B cells called CD19.
- This CD19 protein is on most B-cell cancers like ALL, CLL, and B cell NHL.
- These modified T cells are then grown (expanded) in the laboratory and given back to patients in an attempt to treat their leukemia.
- When the patient's own T cells recognize and bind to the cancer cell, they have the ability to become activated and kill the leukemia cell.
- A patient's modified T cells can survive for many months after administration, and have the ability to grow in the body in large quantities.
- The modified T cells have been able to kill large quantities of CLL cells in all 3 patients treated.
- We are very hopeful about this as future effective therapy for patients with B cell cancers.
For more information about other open clinical trials at CHOP, search our Clinical Trials Search Tool.
Learn How You Can Help support clinical studies in leukemia fighting T cells, Donate Now
Contact Us
Existing patients or family members, please call
215-590-2810
To schedule an initial appointment or request a 2nd opinion
267-426-0762
