Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric tumor in the United States, and survival is approximately 85%. Central nervous system (CNS) treatment with the methotrexate is necessary to prevent disease relapse in the brain, but frequently results in cognitive problems that have devastating effects on educational, behavioral, and quality of life outcomes. Despite evidence for cognitive problems following CNS treatment, little is known about how methotrexate damages normal brain tissue in these children.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric tumor among children and adolescents in the United States. Central nervous system (CNS) treatment has significantly contributed to the dramatic improvement in long-term disease-free survival of these patients by preventing disease relapse in the brain. Unfortunately, CNS treatment is frequently associated with long-term cognitive and academic problems.