CAR T-Cell Therapy
What is CAR T-Cell Therapy?
CAR T-cell therapy is a promising new treatment for some of
the most challenging cases we face in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma. It is a
form of immunotherapy
and works by modifying the body's T-cells, a type of immune system cell that
hunts and destroys abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.
Researchers and physicians at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's
Cancer and Blood Disorders Center are undertaking leading-edge research to
advance CAR T-cell therapy in treatment for acute
lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin
lymphoma.
Why Choose Us for CAR T-Cell Therapy
Dana-Farber/Boston Children's is one of the top pediatric
cancer treatment programs in the world. Our Hematologic Malignancy Center has
been a leader in advancing treatment of both childhood ALL, which has resulted
in an overall 90 percent cure rate for the disease, and childhood non-Hodgkin
lymphoma. Our specialists continue to pioneer the latest and most innovative
treatments through clinical
trials and experimental therapeutics. Because our physicians are leading
these trials, our patients often have access to new drugs and therapies at the
earliest stages of the new drug’s development.
Our CAR T-cell therapy team is made up of experts in
leukemia, lymphoma, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and stem cell transplantation
who are experienced in administering genetically-modified therapies and
well-equipped to anticipate and handle any potential side effects of CAR T-cell
therapy. Learn
more about our team.
We are committed to finding the best treatment for our
patients. We evaluate each patient individually to determine a personalized
treatment plan. This may include CAR T-cell therapy, stem cell transplant,
clinical trials, or a combination of these therapies. To determine the best
treatment course for a patient, we evaluate factors including the biology of
the patient’s cancer, the time of relapse, and patient-specific attributes like
age.
Learn more about CAR T-cell
therapy on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute website.
Contact Us
For more information about whether CAR T-cell therapy is
right for your child or to refer a patient, contact:
Colleen Dansereau, RN, MSN, CPN
Director of Clinical Operations, Gene Therapy Program
Phone: 617-919-7008
Email: colleen.dansereau@childrens.harvard.edu