RT Journal
A1 Kulkarni K, Arya L
T1 TRial effect in newly diagnosed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2010
FD September 1
VO 164
IS 9
SP 882
OP 883
DO 10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.141
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.141
AB 
We read with interest the article by Koschmann and colleagues1 describing the lack of trial effect in patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, we have some reservations regarding the conclusions and its potential impact as described. A recent article from Texas confirms that there is a wide variation in the percentage of patients enrolled in cancer clinical trials in different centers owing to variations in ethnicity, geography, health care services, and vulnerable population subgroups.2 It is likely that the percentage of patients accrued on a trial could vary widely among different centers owing to available trials and inclusion criteria that could impact outcome.2 A recent study describes the effect of the center where the cancer was treated on outcome of adolescent cancer patients and underscores the importance of Children's Oncology Group cooperative studies.3