Understanding relapse in childhood #leukemia through research.

On International Childhood Cancer Day 2026, we shared the message below in our online communication channels to explain our work to patients and their families.

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children. While many children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) respond well to initial treatment, some experience relapse, which is caused by small numbers of leukemia cells, minimal residual disease (MRD) that have survived the treatment. MRD represents the major clinical barrier to achieving durable cure in pediatric acute leukemia. 

The MIRACLE MSCA DN project brings together scientists, clinicians and young researchers across Europe to study how MRD forms and persists in childhood leukemia. By analysing leukemia cells from pediatric patients at the single-cell level, our teams explore genetic, metabolic, and immune features that may contribute to treatment resistance and relapse.  

MIRACLE includes dedicated research on pediatric ALL, including Down syndrome associated leukemia. Researchers use advanced laboratory models and data analysis to investigate potential vulnerabilities of residual leukemia cells and to explore new therapeutic strategies. Through this work, we aim to advance scientific understanding of MRD to prevent pediatric leukemia relapse and to generate knowledge that may inform future research and clinical treatment approaches. 

  • Jan Trka, Jan Stuchly and Alyssa Rodrigues Alvaro - Charles University
  • Jan Cools and Arif kozak - VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology 
  • Jan-Henning Klusmann, Dirk Heckl and Matija Kovic  - Goethe University Frankfurt 

MSCA means ‘Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions’, a European programme that funds and trains young researchers to work together across countries and find new solutions to health and science challenges. 

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