What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore how genetic ancestry and neighborhood factors are linked to disparities in outcomes for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

February 19, 2026

Interplay between genetic ancestry, self-reported race and ethnicity, and clinical factors in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A REDIAL Consortium Report

Key Points

The study aims to explore how genetic ancestry and neighborhood factors are linked to disparities in outcomes for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Analyzed a cohort of 2,512 patients diagnosed with ALL between 2005 and 2020.
Examined socio-demographic and cytogenetic factors associated with ALL outcomes.
Conducted neighborhood-level analysis to assess socioeconomic differences by race/ethnicity.
Distinct patterns of genetic ancestry observed across self-reported race and ethnicity.
Latino children had a mean Amerindigenous ancestry of 50.9%, while non-Latino White children had 78.0% European ancestry.
ETV6::RUNX1 was less common in Latino children, while favorable subtypes were more prevalent in non-Latino White children.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children, and its incidence and outcomes vary by race and ethnicity. Methods: The Reducing Ethnic Disparities in Acute Leukemia (REDIAL) Consortium has assembled a cohort of patients less than 25 years at diagnosis to examine genetic and neighborhood-level factors influencing ALL. As the cohort is ongoing, for this report, we examined socio-demographic and cytogenetic factors that might be associated with ALL outcome disparities. Results: Among 2 512 patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2020, we observed distinct patterns of genetic ancestry and residential characteristics across self-reported race and ethnicity. Latino children, who comprised 55.3% of the cohort, had a mean Amerindigenous (AMR) ancestry proportion of 50.9%, while non-Latino White children exhibited a predominantly European (EUR) ancestry (mean=78.0%). Neighborhood-level analysis revealed significant socioeconomic and geographic differences by race/ethnicity, with Latino children more frequently residing in Latino enclaves or economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Cytogenetic profiling of 551 patients showed that favorable subtypes (double trisomies. ETV6::RUNX1) predominated overall, but ETV6::RUNX1 was significantly less common in Latino than in non-Latino White children; conversely, CRLF2 overexpression and IGH rearrangements were more frequent among Latino children. Conclusions: This first REDIAL cohort analysis reveals how genetic ancestry and neighborhood-level factors jointly shape the distribution of ALL cytogenetic subtypes, advancing our understanding of contributors to disparities in ALL outcome. Impact: This analysis offers insights into factors underlying disparities in ALL outcomes and may be targeted to mitigate them, ultimately guiding more equitable approaches to risk stratification and intervention.

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Cite This Study

Kore et al. (Mon,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6996a788ecb39a600b3ed4b3 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.epi-25-1438

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