Who can enter
- Children and adolescents with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Age: 0-21 years old
Goal
The goal of this study is to map the immune system in children and adolescents with blood cancer. We want to better understand how the immune system works in these patients. In the future, this may allow us to better predict which tumors respond to which type of treatment. This information may also provide ideas for developing new therapies.
Background
It is becoming increasingly clear that the immune system plays a major role in cancer development and tumor persistence. A number of treatments in adults already exist that activate the immune system against cancer, increasing the chances of a cure.
We still know very little about the role of the immune system in children and adolescents with this form of blood cancer (AML). Why, for example, are the "bad cells" not cleared by the immune system? With this research we want to find out more about that. In addition to standard analyses, we want to see how the immune system deals with the blood cancer.
We want to map the immune system by examining it in different ways and in different places. Namely in bone marrow fluid and bone marrow tissue – where most of the cancer cells are located – and in the blood.
All tests and measurements take place on days when the child already has a hospital appointment. Per visit, we take a maximum of 4 tubes of blood during a standard blood draw. The child will not have extra needle jabs for this.
To establish the diagnosis, blood, bone marrow fluid and bone marrow tissue are taken. If any of this is left over after the standard tests, we will use it for the study.
Optionally, additional bone marrow tissue may be taken. Bone marrow tissue collection will always coincide with times when bone marrow fluid is already collected as part of the treatment. For this, permission will be requested separately.