"Half a century ago, a diagnosis of leukemia in a child was considered a
death sentence. Today, approximately 85% of children diagnosed with this
once fatal disease are cured (Pui et al. 2009; US National Institutes
of Health 2010). The discovery that ushered in this dramatically
transformed outlook was the observation by Sidney Farber (1903–1973) and
his colleagues in Boston in 1948 that drugs that acted against the
vitamin folic acid could produce remissions in children with acute
leukemia (Farber et al. 1948). While carefully controlled studies were required to develop therapeutic regimens developed from these initial observations (Pocock 1977; Peto et al. 1986), the Farber article is featured in the James Lind Library
because it is an example of a treatment effect that is so dramatic that
bias can be confidently ruled out as an explanation for the
observations (Glasziou et al. 2007). What led to the landmark findings
in 1948, and what evidence was published subsequently confirming that a
major advance in treatment had been discovered" (Spain, 2010).
The research that Farber conducted has helped to save many children's lives today; without this research the mortality rate for children diagnosed with leukemia would be significantly higher than it is. For further reading the articles can be found at:
References
Farber, S., Diamond, L.K., Mercer, R.D., Sylvester, R.F., & Wolff, J.A. (1948). Temporary
Remission in Acute Leukemia in Children Produced by Folic Acid Antagonist, 4-Aminopteroyl Glutamic Acid (Aminopterin). New England Journal of Medicine, v.238. p787-793.Retrieved from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM194806032382301
Spain P, Kadan-Lottick N (2010). Observations of unprecedented
remissions following novel treatment for acute leukemia in children in
1948. JLL Bulletin: Commentaries on the history of treatment evaluation. Retrieved from http://www.jameslindlibrary.org
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteGreat example of research that has benefited many children. Although the children in the research may have experienced greater than minimal risk/harm, future children certainly have survived leukemia because of this research.
Tiffany- I was very glad to read about what you have found, it truly is an uplifting story on research and children. I am glad to hear that so many children are surviving leukemia now, my sister was in remission for 6 years before she passed, I do not remember all the drugs that she was on, but I do remember there were lots and that she went through a lot. When I first reas this assignment I thought of research on children with leukemia, but I figured it would bring back too many painful memories, I am glad you did it though!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear about a research that gives children a greater chance of life. It's good to hear that a child/adult no longer has leukemia cells in their body, just imagine, no more needle sticking and hospital stays. It's good to know about a major advance in treatment.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post about leukemia. I'm glad to hear that so many young children are being cured from leukemia now a days. I know of a three year old girl that was diagnosed with leukemia a year ago. After getting all of the treatments the doctors are saying that there is no sign of it now which is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite insightful!
ReplyDeleteAs an EC professional this is good to know. I once heard of a child that passed few years ago due to Leukemia.
In general, as there are several researches across the world, an EC professional should be able to keep minds open to find solutions by searching for researched information. There is a lot to discover that has been researched around the world relating to the EC field..
This was an awesome as well as informative article concerning Lukemia. I can just imagine someone not going through all the treatment for Lukemia. I'm praying that one day Diabetes will be cured as well. There are so many illness that children have to face daily and that's good to know there is a chance for all.
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