Could a cancer drug help kids with autism speak better?
NCT ID NCT02839915
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether folinic acid (leucovorin), a drug already used to reduce side effects from chemotherapy, can improve language skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Researchers will give the drug or a placebo to 56 children aged 5 to 17 for 12 to 24 weeks and measure changes in language tests. The goal is to see if this drug can help with a core challenge of autism.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
folinic acid (leucovorin)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a treatment to improve language skills in children with autism.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 56 participants. The drug is not proven for this use, and results may not apply to all children with autism.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Children's Healtcare of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
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Harvard University
Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, United States
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Southwestern Research and Resource Center
Phoenix, Arizona, 85016, United States
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State University of New York, Downstate
Brooklyn, New York, 11203, United States