UC Irvine-led study found that exposure to previously unknown PFAS chemicals was associated with a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer. Read more: https://news.uci.edu/2026/04/27/forever-chemicals-may-be-linked-to-childhood-leukemia/

Now, Cincinnati Children’s is working with New Zealand-based BioOra, Ltd, to launch a clinical trial that would bring a lower-risk, “third-generation” CAR-T therapy—called Alta-cel—to children and teens with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Read more: https://scienceblog.cincinnatichildrens.org/clinical-trial-to-evaluate-safer-car-t-cell-therapy-for-children/

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most common form of childhood cancer. In this type of cancer, which affects blood cells, one of the most common abnormalities is the presence of cells with an excess of chromosomes (hyperdiploidy), a condition that leads to chromosomal instability. Now, a study published in Cell Reports reveals that this chromosomal instability caused by hyperdiploidy reduces the proliferation of the affected cells, delays their differentiation an

Researchers in Japan find that B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with NUTM1 gene rearrangements is a unique form of the disease, with a distinct pattern of gene activity and gene regulation that is highly sensitive to chemotherapy. Read more: https://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/nutm1-rearrangements-cause-highly-treatable-form-infant-leukemia

Exposure to petrol compounds appears to be associated with an increased risk of childhood leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to a systematic review published in Blood and Lymphatic Cancer: Targets and Therapy . Read more: https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/news/parent-child-petrol-exposure-higher-childhood-leukemia-risk-treatment/

Timely, developmentally tailored diagnostic disclosure may reduce anxiety and strengthen coping among school-aged children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to exploratory findings from Taiwan published in Patient Education and Counseling . Read more: https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/news/acute-leukemia-child-centered-disclosure-well-being-treatment-risk/

Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital show that microbial cell-free DNA sequencing can predict bloodstream infections in children with leukemia days before the symptoms appear. Read more: https://www.stjude.org/media-resources/news-releases/2026-medicine-science-news/cell-free-dna-offers-early-warning-for-bloodstream-infections-in-kids-with-leukemia.html

Now, a new study is the first to assess the effect of pesticide exposures on the survival of children with leukemia. The study found a statistically significant link between residential rodenticide exposure and a higher risk in children of death from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with about 10% of the exposed children dying within five years of diagnosis. Read more: https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2026/02/pesticide-exposure-again-linked-to-childhood-acute-lym

The FDA approved a larger nelarabine vial to improve dosing flexibility and simplify treatment for adult and pediatric patients with T-ALL and T-LBL. Read more: https://www.curetoday.com/view/fda-approves-larger-nelarabine-vial-for-some-leukemias-and-lymphomas

Children with Down syndrome have a significantly increased risk of leukemia, while adults have a lower risk of several common solid tumors, according to a new register study from Karolinska Institutet published in the British Journal of Cancer. The results may contribute to more tailored cancer screening guidelines. Read more: https://news.ki.se/a-unique-cancer-risk-profile-in-down-syndrome-higher-leukemia-risk-in-childhood