Results for Targeted and Immunotherapy

Dr. Maris investigates the molecular and genetic mechanisms contributing to the development and progression of neuroblastoma, a common childhood cancer. He also aims to develop new molecular diagnostic tests and less toxic, targeted therapies to treat relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma, including a major effort in immunotherapy discovery and development.

Dr. Grupp develops and conducts preclinical testing of engineered cell therapies and signal transduction inhibitors in leukemia, in pediatric immunotherapy trials, and in the manufacture and use of cellular therapeutics in preclinical, good manufacturing practices, and clinical trial settings. Dr. Grupp leads most CTL019 (CD19 CAR) clinical trials, and his colleagues are the global leaders in highly active CAR T cell therapy.

Dr. Weber is developing approaches to enhance CAR-T cell therapies for pediatric cancer by reprogramming T cells with improved durability and exhaustion resistance. His work will uncover molecular mechanisms that promote CAR-T cell exhaustion and identify new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Dr. Laetsch is a pediatric oncologist who provides clinical care and conducts research with the overarching goal of improving treatment options for children with difficult to treat cancers.