UNITCALL Study

Study Description:

Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common subtype. Thanks to advances in treatment, almost all children diagnosed with ALL will survive. As we continue to make strides toward long-term survival and understanding the disease, it is equally important to understand and address the challenges children face during and after therapy. Research studies have identified that many survivors experience mental challenges, such as forgetfulness or impulsivity. We often refer to those challenges as ‘neurocognitive impairment’. It is important to focus not only on curing the disease, but also on improving life during and after treatment. This study aims to learn more from the younger patient population during ALL treatment in order to pinpoint the timepoints and types of neurotoxic exposures that may lead to neurocognitive impairment. We hope that the information we learn from this study will provide opportunities to develop ways to prevent and improve neurocognitive issues.

Study Eligibility:

This study has 2 types of participants: a population of patients with B/T-cell ALL or patients with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, and a population of study participants without cancer (called control participants). Data from the groups are compared to show differences in neurocognitive abilities. In addition to a few criteria that could prevent participation, there are criteria participants must meet including but not limited to the following:

In order to participate in the ALL group, participants must be:

• Newly diagnosed for the first time with B-cell ALL or T-cell ALL, or B/C acute lymphoblastic lymphoma
• Between the ages of 3 and 10 years old
• Receiving ALL treatment with chemotherapy alone, without planned cranial radiation or bone marrow transplant
• Free from the presence of major syndromes associated with intellectual disability, such as Trisomy 21
• Free from a history of severe head trauma resulting in a hospital stay
• Able to understand English
• Able to safely go into an MRI scanner (e.g., no metals in the body)

In order to participate in the Control group, participants must be:

• Between the ages of 3 and 10 years old
• Able to understand English
• Free from the presence of major syndromes associated with intellectual disability
• Free from a history of severe head trauma resulting in a hospital stay
• Free from a history of cancer
• Able to safely go into an MRI scanner (e.g., no metals in the body)