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 pediatric CAR T-cell therapy 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