07/31/2026
Every parent hopes and prays that their child's first treatment will also be their last.
For many children and adolescents diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL), today's treatments are highly effective. But when these cancers return (relapse), outcomes are far less promising.
Decades of progress in treating pediatric T‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‑ALL) and T‑cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T‑LL) have resulted in excellent survival rates. But while many patients are cured during their initial treatment, relapse remains one of the greatest challenges for those whose cancer returns.
Treatment for relapsed T‑ALL and T‑LL is far more difficult, and outcomes are significantly poorer. It’s one reason why teams are opting to go the dangerous route of bone marrow transplant right away for those that have been diagnosed with T-ALL, T-LL, and MPAL (T/Myeloid). A new Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Phase 3 clinical trial, AALL2331, aims to change that.
Following years of planning and development, the study is expected to begin enrolling newly diagnosed T‑ALL and T‑LL patients later this year. Researchers will evaluate whether adding the targeted antibody therapy daratumumab to standard chemotherapy can reduce the risk of relapse while also reducing long‑term side effects of treatment.
AALL2331 builds on years of research, previous clinical trial success, and an evolving understanding of how T‑ALL and T‑LL respond to treatment. AALL2331 is an important next step in advancing treatment for children with T‑cell disease, noting that while immunotherapy has transformed outcomes for B‑cell ALL, similar advances for T‑cell ALL have proven much more challenging.
If successful, the study could help establish a new treatment approach that lowers the risk of relapse, further improves survival rates, and reduces the lifelong impact of treatment.
