B 细胞急性淋巴细胞白血病 (B-ALL) 是最常见的儿科癌症，最常见于 2-5 岁儿童。这种独特的年龄分布暗示 B-ALL 的发育与儿童易感期免疫系统功能受损之间存在关联，这可能是由早期接触感染引发的。虽然高收入国家儿童 B-ALL 的治愈率超过 90%，但由于治疗的副作用，幸存者的生活质量下降。因此，了解 B-ALL 的起源和演变，以及如何预防这种流行的儿童癌症，对于减轻这一巨大的健康负担至关重要。本文概述了我们目前对儿童 B-ALL 病因的理解，并探讨了这些知识如何为预防策略提供信息。© 2024 作者。 BioEssays 由 Wiley periodicals LLC 出版。

B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, arising most often in children aged 2-5 years. This distinctive age distribution hints at an association between B-ALL development and disrupted immune system function during a susceptible period during childhood, possibly triggered by early exposure to infection. While cure rates for childhood B-ALL surpass 90% in high-income nations, survivors suffer from diminished quality of life due to the side effects of treatment. Consequently, understanding the origins and evolution of B-ALL, and how to prevent this prevalent childhood cancer, is paramount to alleviate this substantial health burden. This article provides an overview of our current understanding of the etiology of childhood B-ALL and explores how this knowledge can inform preventive strategies.© 2024 The Author(s). BioEssays published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.