Could a cancer drug help kids with autism speak better?

NCT ID NCT02839915

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism spectrum disorder language disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Children's Healtcare of Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Harvard University

Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, United States
Southwestern Research and Resource Center

Phoenix, Arizona, 85016, United States
State University of New York, Downstate

Brooklyn, New York, 11203, United States

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