Genomic Advances in Pediatric ALL: From Molecular Subtypes to Precision Medicine

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in childhood. Despite recent therapeutic advancements in both B-cell ALL (B-ALL) and T-cell ALL (T-ALL), there remains a population of patients who continue to experience poor outcomes, primarily at time of disease recurrence. Several recent studies have examined the impact of different genomic subtypes on prognosis in pediatric ALL. However, the translation of these findings into clinical actionability remains an area of active investigation. Additionally, the impact of germline genomic variants on ALL outcomes is an opportunity for further study.

This Research Topic aims to highlight recent advances in the genomic characterization of pediatric ALL and to explore how these discoveries can be translated into improved risk stratification, prognostication, and therapeutic decision-making. While large-scale genomic studies have identified numerous molecular subtypes associated with distinct clinical outcomes, important questions remain regarding the integration of genomic findings into routine clinical practice and cooperative group treatment strategies. In addition, there is growing recognition that germline alterations and genetic ancestry may influence leukemia biology, treatment-related toxicities, and disparities in outcomes.

This collection seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and emerging directions in the field, bringing together translational, clinical, and population-based research. Through contributions from experts across pediatric oncology, genomics, and bioinformatics, this series will help define future priorities for incorporating genomic advances into precision medicine approaches for children and adolescents with ALL.

This Research Topic will focus on genomic advances in pediatric ALL with emphasis on clinical application and translational relevance. Areas of interest include genomic classification of B-ALL and T-ALL; genomics-based risk stratification; genomic mechanisms and predictors of relapse; integration of genomic profiling into frontline and relapsed disease management; measurable residual disease and genomic biomarkers; pharmacogenomics; and the impact of germline variants and genetic ancestry on treatment response, toxicity, and survival outcomes. We also welcome submissions addressing novel sequencing technologies, bioinformatic approaches, and implementation challenges related to precision oncology in pediatric leukemia.

We invite Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspective articles, and Brief Reports that advance understanding of the biologic and clinical implications of genomic discoveries in pediatric ALL.

Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent clinical or patient cohort, or biological validation in vitro or in vivo, which are not based on public databases) are not suitable for publication in this journal.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Pediatric oncology, Genomic subtypes, Risk stratification, Precision medicine, Germline variants, Molecular prognostication, T-cell ALL, B-cell ALL, Health disparities

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.