Dr. Paul Bowman leads collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Dr. Paul Bowman, chairman and professor of Pediatrics, is leading a collaboration between Cook Children’s Medical Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on a pioneering new acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment.  For the first time, St. Jude allowed children to participate in the protocol study without being referred to the home base of St. Jude – Memphis.

The study established that children’s survival rates would not be compromised by eliminating radiation with the use of highly effective chemotherapy regimens. Cranial radiation treatment controlled leukemia that impacted the central nervous system. But radiation side effects included stunting growth and height, as well as impacting intellect and cognitive function in a negative fashion.

The findings of the two institution’s research can be found in the June 25, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Bowman co-authored the article, along with Amy Bayles, nurse practitioner of the leukemia program at Cook Children’s.

"The main reason it’s in The New England Journal of Medicine, the world’s most prestigious medical journal, is the observation that the elimination of radiation therapy upfront in patients with leukemia has not had a negative impact on their survival rate," Bowman said. "And that’s news that people are going to pay attention to."

Recently, an international focus was placed on becoming more restrained in the use of radiation therapy, limiting it to only those patients in need and only using the minimum dosage necessary.

St. Jude began the study in 2000 and it was launched at Cook Children’s in February 2004 and lasted until July 2007. The study involved 498 total patients, with 90 Cook Children’s patients with ALL enrolled.

The hypothesis of the study was that patients’ survival rates would not be compromised by eliminating radiation at the beginning of treatment. The results seem to show that’s the case with a 93.5 percent survival rate during the course of the study and a long-term remission rate of 85.6 percent.

"These are the best results that have ever been achieved at St. Jude and certainly the best results we have had at Cook Children’s," Bowman said."Of course it’s all about cure in the first place."

Recent News

Kirk A. Calhoun Bio
  • Community
|Feb 5, 2025

Dr. Kirk Calhoun brings expertise and vision to UNTHSC

Kirk Calhoun, M.D., FACP, brings more than 30 years of experience in academic medicine and health care leadership to his new role as interim president of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, a position he assumed on Feb. 1. Calhoun most recently served as president o...
Prayerbear Party With Robin
  • Community
|Feb 5, 2025

TCOM student takes volunteering to a new level at Cook Children’s Medical Center

When you see Kathryn Adkins scroll through her journal of 110 pages of meaningful and memorable experiences, you know why she’s been a volunteer at Cook Children’s Medical Center since 2017. When you hear her speak about being a volunteer, you hear the passion that surrounds her more than 1,100 ...
Con Holin Macklin Solo Shot Dsc 4085 (1)
  • Our People
|Feb 3, 2025

Carved out of curiosity and motivation, Hollin Macklin’s path through nursing never ends

Hollin Macklin’s nursing journey began earlier than most. When Take Your Child to Work Day came around, she would accompany her mother to the hospital where she worked as a nurse, leaving her with a lasting impression. “Watching her provide care and compassion to her patients while balancing ...
Jacqueline Ladesma
  • Community
|Feb 3, 2025

UNTHSC PA students bring hope through handwritten letters

First-year physician assistant students at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth are demonstrating their commitment to service by collaborating with Letters Against Depression, a national nonprofit that provides hope and encouragement to individuals struggling with mental...