ALL-REZ BFM is an observational study and biobank for recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in childhood and adolescence.
This study is a research project. This means that no medicines will be tested. It only involves the collection and processing of data. This study is being performed by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin hospital. The Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG) is responsible for performing the study in Switzerland.
Children and adolescents under 18 years of age with a new episode of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), i.e. recurrent ALL, can take part in the ALL-REZ BFM registry. Hospitals in Switzerland, Germany and Austria are taking part in this research project.
The survival of children with ALL has improved continuously in recent decades. Yet recurrent ALL remains a clinical problem and makes a major contribution to the mortality rate of children with malignant disease. Recurrent ALL is diagnosed in only a very small number of patients (approx. 10 per year) in Switzerland.
It is desirable to carefully document information about all patients who have this rare leukaemia and to compile it in one place. This is the only way to acquire further knowledge about the causes, frequency, course of disease and tumour-related properties of this rare disease through international cooperation. Information about the disease, the therapy, the patient’s medical history and follow-up observations is collected. Information about possible effects of therapy and quality of life after therapy has been completed will also be recorded.
Samples of blood, bone marrow and cerebrospinal fluid will also be obtained from patients in order to diagnose and characterise the disease accurately. These samples are obtained during routine therapeutic procedures. The aim of this research project is to record all cases of recurrent ALL in children if possible. The study office provides participating centres with advice on individual therapy strategies, options for and the necessity for radiotherapy and transplantation. The long-term follow-up of patients is also ensured in this research project.
In short
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The research project is collecting data on children and adolescents with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
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Because ALL relapses are rare, data collection at the international level is important in obtaining further findings.
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In addition to this important contribution to research, study patients can benefit from the second opinions of international experts.
