User: CHU Sainte-Justine
This project aims to develop a non-invasive blood test to diagnose and monitor children with leukemia by analyzing proteins in their blood plasma. Current protein-based tests are rarely used in pediatric cancer care, yet they could provide crucial information.
About 35% of children with acute myeloid leukemia and 10–15% with acute lymphoblastic leukemia do not survive, and many survivors face long-term side effects. Today, children undergo repeated blood draws and bone marrow tests under sedation throughout treatment. Our new technology will track multiple proteins in the blood to improve diagnosis, spot relapses early, identify new treatment targets, and detect long-term effects of therapy.
This approach will ensure all children with leukemia in Quebec have equal access to advanced care and blood plasma testing, regardless of gender, race, socio-economic status, religion, or disability.