Fighting Fire with Fire

Carl June, M.D., University of Pennsylvania, leads an LLS Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) team developing personalized cellular therapy known as CAR-T, where the patient’s immune system is genetically engineered to find and kill cancer cells. LLS has supported the work of June and team for two decades; a $21 million commitment. June and team reported that 90% and 50% percent of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, respectively, achieved remissions, with CAR-T. Emily Whitehead, first child treated with CAR-T, remains cancer-free after more than 2 years.

Featured Researcher Dr. Wu

Catherine Wu, M.D., is focused on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). One aspect of her research is to gain greater understanding of the genetic underpinnings of CLL. She and her colleagues are studying the role that a mutated gene – SF3BL - plays in the development of CLL in order to develop improved strategies to treat CLL. Another focus on her lab is to develop an immunotherapy approach to treating CLL. She is working on employing a CLL-specific antigen to develop a personalized vaccine for patients with CLL. Dr. Wu currently has four LLS grants – two Translational Research Program grants, one Quest for Cures grant and one Career Development Program grant.