Revolutionizing Pediatric Blood Cancer Treatment: Advances in Targeted Immunotherapy for Leukemia and Lymphomas
A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Hematology & Oncology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 58
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Pediatric hematological malignancies, particularly leukemia and lymphomas, represent a significant clinical challenge due to their high incidence and the need for more effective and less toxic treatments. Despite advancements in chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, many patients experience relapses or long-term toxicities, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. In this context, targeted immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach that has significantly improved outcomes in various pediatric hematologic malignancies.
In the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), immunotherapeutic strategies such as monoclonal antibodies (blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamicin) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD19 have transformed the management of relapsed or refractory disease.
For pediatric lymphomas, both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin, immunotherapy has also demonstrated remarkable efficacy. In Hodgkin lymphoma, the anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody brentuximab vedotin and immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab, have significantly improved response rates in refractory cases.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in children comprises a heterogeneous group of malignancies, including Burkitt lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. In this setting, targeted immunotherapy has introduced promising new treatment options. Therapies such as rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, have proven effective in B-cell lymphomas, while brentuximab vedotin has shown potential in CD30-positive T-cell lymphomas. Furthermore, CAR T-cell therapies targeting CD19 and CD22 are being evaluated for pediatric NHL, offering hope for patients with refractory or relapsed disease.
This Special Issue reviews the latest advancements in targeted immunotherapy for pediatric leukemia and lymphomas, exploring their mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and challenges in clinical implementation. As these therapies continue to evolve, their integration with conventional treatment approaches may represent a paradigm shift in the management of pediatric hematologic malignancies.
Dr. C. Garrido-Colino
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- pediatric leukemia
- pediatric lymphomas
- targeted immunotherapy
- checkpoint inhibitors
- monoclonal antibody
- chimeric antigen receptor
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