Advances In Diagnosis And Treatment Of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (All) In Children
Keywords:
acute lymphoblastic leukemia, children, minimal residual disease, targeted therapy, molecular diagnostics, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy.Abstract
Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy, accounting for nearly 25% of all childhood cancers. Over recent decades, the survival rate of pediatric ALL has dramatically improved due to advances in molecular diagnostics, risk stratification, and personalized therapy.
Objective: This study aims to analyze current diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches for pediatric ALL, focusing on molecular biomarkers, minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, and novel targeted therapies.
Methods: Clinical data of 90 pediatric ALL patients treated between 2020–2025 were analyzed. Diagnostic modalities included morphological evaluation, flow cytometry, cytogenetic testing, and molecular analysis. Patients were stratified into risk groups and treated according to the modified BFM (Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster) protocol with incorporation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or immunotherapies where indicated.
Results: Molecular profiling revealed chromosomal abnormalities in 78% of cases, with BCR-ABL1 and ETV6-RUNX1 being the most frequent. MRD negativity at day 33 of induction was achieved in 82% of patients, correlating strongly with event-free survival. Addition of TKIs and blinatumomab improved remission rates and reduced relapse frequency.
Conclusion: Integration of advanced molecular diagnostics, MRD-based monitoring, and targeted therapies has significantly improved treatment outcomes in pediatric ALL. Continued refinement of risk-adapted protocols promises to further enhance survival while minimizing toxicity.
