Database focused on childhood leukemia a success

The nation’s first database for children with leukemia has collected information on more than 39,000 patients since it was established in 2018, according to medical experts from the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center.

The database includes patients’ personal information and medical data such as diagnosis, molecular type treatment, current status and medical expenses. It will provide big data-based information and evidence to enhance the study of clinical practice and patient management of children's leukemia as well as guide government’s policy making, experts told a live webinar on the  diagnosis and treatment of childhood leukemia on Friday night.

According to the database, the incidence of leukemia among children aged 14 or younger is 42.9 among every 1 million, almost the same as Japan and a little lower than that in the US. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the leading type of leukemia, covering 72.4 percent of all the cases.

There are more boys than girls suffering leukemia, and the peak age for developing leukemia is between 1 and 6 years old.

The five-year survival rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is 88.7 percent and those with five-year survival without medical intervention is 67.3 percent.

“We found that the treatment effect and patient survival rate among the 20 hospitals in a national alliance for children’s leukemia treatment are better than other hospitals, which means the multi-center research and a regular and unified guidance inside the alliance do improve the medical treatment and benefit for patients,” said Jiang Zhongyi, president of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center.

“While improving treatment effects, we also focus on the control of medical expenses," he added. "Through the database, we have a very detailed and clear view of  patients’ expenditure. The precise diagnosis can give a more detailed and stricter classification of treatment and a better diagnosis. The treatment plan can reduce and control complications, which can help reduce medical expenses eventually."