Tasian Laboratory

The Tasian Laboratory’s translational research program aims to develop targeted therapeutic strategies for high-risk childhood leukemias. One major research focus is the characterization of leukemia-associated intracellular signal transduction networks and preclinical testing of kinase inhibitors in genetic subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A second major focus is preclinical testing of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies in childhood AML and ALL.

In addition, Dr. Tasian and her research team conduct bench-to-bedside early-phase clinical trials of kinase inhibitors and CAR T cell immunotherapies for children with high-risk leukemias through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and other consortia. Many of these trials have directly resulted from preclinical studies conducted by the laboratory and its collaborators. The Tasian Lab also conducts bedside-back-to-bench studies for several clinical trials to measure patients’ molecular responses to these new targeted therapies.