Through the Pediatric Acute Leukemia Master Clinical Trial ( PedAL), The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society () is setting out to fundamentally change how children with pediatric acute leukemia are treated.
In June 2022, launched the PedAL Master Clinical Trial, the first integrated, global, acute leukemia master clinical trial to test new, safer therapies on children, who will be matched to treatments based on their unique tumor biology.
is leading an international collaboration, convening some of the best minds in cancer research and treatment. Through partnerships with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) (part of the National Institutes of Health), Children’s Oncology Group (COG), and the Innovative Therapies for Children and Adolescents with Cancer (ITCC) consortium, PedAL trials are available to children and families in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Europe – bringing the dream of safer, more effective pediatric acute leukemia treatments closer to home for more people.
PedAL is a key component of The Dare to Dream Project, a big, bold campaign to fund groundbreaking pediatric research that will accelerate safer, less toxic and, more effective treatments for kids. We believe it’s not enough that children with blood cancer survive – we want them to have the chance to thrive as survivors. ’s The Dare to Dream Project also funds a wide range of free information and education materials, one-on-one support services, financial assistance in the United States, and advocacy for accessible, affordable healthcare on behalf of all children and their families.
Kids are different, and for too long treatment for pediatric acute leukemia has followed a one-size-fits-all approach. And because blood cancers are more common in adults, there has been a smaller incentive to develop new treatments for children. As a result, pediatric progress has lagged - only five cancer treatments have been approved for first use in children with blood cancer since the 1990’s. And, even with the progress that’s been made, 80% of childhood cancer survivors still develop chronic health conditions from their treatment. PedAL will change all that.
Children are not little adults. Their bodies work in different ways, and they undergo changes as they grow, which means we need different treatment approaches, especially for children with relapsed acute leukemias. Our vision is to identify the unique tumor biology of each child's cancer to help match them with the most promising treatment with the fewest long-term side effects.
- Gwen Nichols, MD Chief Medical Officer
The second master clinical trial convened by , PedAL continues ’s rich history of supporting and driving innovative research, tackling all types of blood cancer in children and adults. Combined with the Beat AML Master Clinical Trial©, has a proven track record of breaking down barriers to unite worldwide leaders in addressing adult acute leukemia to bring better treatments to patients.
Through international partnerships, PedAL taps into established infrastructures to make screening and therapeutic trials available to more children.
Led by the University of Chicago, a robust data infrastructure allows global sharing to advance cures with two -supported breakthroughs in data gathering:
To learn more about PedAL click here or call (800) 955-4572 to speak to an Information Resource Specialist. You may also contact us at [email protected].
Meet the visionary leaders of the PedAL Master Clinical Trial, who are dedicated to ushering in a new era of pediatric drug development.
Gwen Nichols, MD The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Co-Chair, PedAL Initiative
Todd Cooper, DO Seattle Children’s Hospital Co-Chair, PedAL Initiative
Sarah K. Tasian, MD Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Clinical Trial Lead
Samuel L. Volchenboum, MD, PhD University of Chicago Pediatric Cancer Data Commons Bioinformatics Lead
Ann Collins The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Project Leader
Kimberly Stegmaier, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Preclinical Discovery Lead
Julie Guillot AML Parent and Partnership Outreach Chair
We remain committed to helping children and their families throughout their entire cancer experience. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about this groundbreaking master clinical trial.