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Childhood Acute Leukemias in Developing Nations: Successes and Challenges

  • Pediatric Oncology (KL Davis, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Acute leukemias represent a tremendous threat to public health around the globe and the main cause of death due to disease in scholar age children from developing nations. Here, we review their current status in Mexico, as a paradigm of study, and the major challenges to control systemic diseases like childhood cancer.

Recent Findings

A unique molecular epidemiology, late/low precision diagnosis, limited access to treatment, toxicity associated with therapy, continuous exposure to environmental risk factors, and the high frequency of early relapses are some of the factors cooperating to low rates of survival in low-to-medium-income countries. Deliberative dialogues and exhaustive programs have emerged as promising means of advancing evidence-informed policy, by providing a structured forum for key stakeholders to integrate scientific and pragmatic knowledge about complex health concerns.

Summary

A system-wide strategy based on the comprehensive leukemia identity is essential for a meaningful decline in early childhood mortality.

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Acknowledgments

Due to space constraints, a large number of relevant contributions to childhood acute leukemias could not be discussed, unfortunately.

Funding

Our research in leukemia is supported by the National Council of Science and Technology CONACYT PRONAII 302941 and by the Mexican Institute of Social Security (FIS/IMSS/PROT/G18/1828) to RP.

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Author notes

  1. Marta Zapata-Tarrés and Juan Carlos Balandrán are Equal contribution, co-first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fundación IMSS, A.C., Paseo de la Reforma 476, Mz Pte. Colonia Juárez, Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc, 06600, Mexico City, Mexico

    Marta Zapata-Tarrés

  2. Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York, NY, 10461, USA

    Juan Carlos Balandrán

  3. Laboratorio Juárez, Medicina de Laboratorio Clínico de Alta Especialidad, Biología Molecular e Investigación Clínica, Sauces No. 512, Col. Reforma. Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, México

    Juan Carlos Balandrán

  4. National Institute of Pediatrics, Insurgentes Sur 3700-C, 04530, Mexico City, Mexico

    Roberto Rivera-Luna

  5. Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente CIBIOR, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social Delegación Puebla, Km. 4.5 Carretera Atlixco-Metepec, 74360, Puebla, Mexico

    Rosana Pelayo

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  1. Marta Zapata-Tarrés
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  3. Roberto Rivera-Luna
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  4. Rosana Pelayo
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Correspondence to Roberto Rivera-Luna or Rosana Pelayo.

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Zapata-Tarrés, M., Balandrán, J.C., Rivera-Luna, R. et al. Childhood Acute Leukemias in Developing Nations: Successes and Challenges. Curr Oncol Rep 23, 56 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-021-01043-9

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