Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) clinical trials are underway, offering hope for improved treatments and outcomes for patients. These trials, conducted globally and within the United States, aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new medical strategies, treatments, and devices for ALL.
Ongoing Research Efforts
Currently, nearly 200 ALL clinical studies are recruiting participants in the United States. These studies cover a range of interventions and patient populations, reflecting a broad effort to advance ALL therapy.
Completed clinical trials, such as NCT00186875, have investigated the response of children with relapsed or refractory ALL to specific chemotherapy regimens, carefully monitoring side effects. Other studies, like NCT05866887, have explored supportive interventions, such as sleep programs to combat insomnia in children undergoing ALL treatment. NCT00349596 assessed the safety of decitabine, a chemotherapy drug, in patients with relapsed or refractory ALL.
Participation in Clinical Trials
In the U.S., patients do not require a referral to participate in a clinical trial. Organizations like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) emphasize that clinical trials can be the most appropriate treatment option for some leukemia patients. The ClinicalTrials.gov search tool is available for individuals to find ALL clinical studies in their area.
Eligibility and Trial Design
Eligibility for ALL clinical trials depends on factors such as age, sex assigned at birth, and ALL stage. Researchers may seek participants with specific characteristics, such as those who have not undergone prior treatment or have already tried standard therapies. Individuals with ALL at any stage can participate, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Prevention and screening studies may also include individuals without the disease.
Placebos are typically used only when there is no standard treatment available or to compare a standard treatment plus an experimental approach against a standard treatment plus a placebo. Participants are always informed if a study involves a placebo.
