Trial Information

Summary: COG AALL03N1: Understanding the Ethnic and Racial Differences in Survival in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

You have/your child has been asked to participate in this research study because you are/your child is receiving mercaptopurine (also known as Purinethol or 6-MP) as part of maintenance/continuation chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In past studies of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, researchers have found differences in survival rates among subjects in different ethnic groups. The purpose of this study is to find out if there are differences in blood levels of mercaptopurine in children of different ethnic backgrounds. If there are differences, then we would like to know if the differences in blood levels of mercaptopurine are because of: 1) the way the bodies of people of different ethnic groups handle mercaptopurine (the way the body takes up or breaks down the drug), 2) differences in how well people of different ethnic groups follow the schedule given by the doctor for taking mercaptopurine (how well they follow their treatment plan), or 3) the different features of ALL among different ethnic groups (things about the leukemia cells that make them react differently to drugs). Your/your child’s participation in this study is expected to last 6 months.  In addition, we would like to continue to collect some information about how you are/your child is doing for as long as you are/your child is willing to let us. The researchers handling this study at your/your child’s hospital will collect this information by looking at your/your child’s medical record, or if you have/your child has not visited the hospital recently, by calling you/your child on the telephone once a year to see how you are/your child is doing. If they need to call you/your child on the telephone, the call would last about 5 minutes.

Patient Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:

- See http://clinicaltrials.coh.org for additional information.

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Trial listings updated: December 1, 2008 at 3:15:48 PM