Innovative Approaches

Our history of research and innovation has resulted in many of the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques currently used around the world to treat cancer and blood disorders. Today, we continue to stand among the world’s leaders in many innovative approaches.

Our research, clinical trials, and state-of-the art treatment facilities allow our care teams to provide the safest and most effective care possible.

Some of our innovative approaches include:

• The Advancing Childhood Cancer Therapies (ACCT) Clinic offers clinical trials for relapsed and refractory cancer.
• CAR T-cell therapy is a promising new treatment for some of the most challenging cases we face in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma.
• Gene therapy delivers DNA into a patient's cells to replace faulty or missing genes – or to add new genes – in an attempt to cure a disease or make changes so the body is better able to fight off disease.
• Immunotherapy is the treatment of disease by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response. Cancer immunotherapy attempts to stimulate the immune system to reject or destroy tumors.
• MIBG therapy is a special treatment for children with refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma. We are one of only a handful of centers in the United States equipped for this type of treatment.
• Our Pediatric Cancer Genetic Risk Program provides cancer risk assessment and comprehensive recommendations for managing cancer risk. We also conduct research into many aspects of cancer risk and its management.
• Precision medicine allows doctors to tailor treatment to the specific genetic characteristics of a patient’s cancer. Dana-Farber/Boston Children's is involved in one of the country’s most comprehensive precision cancer medicine initiatives.

More about our Centers and Programs
Learn more about the research and innovation taking place within each of our clinical centers: our Blood Disorders Center, Brain Tumor Center, Hematologic Malignancy Center, Solid Tumor Center, and Stem Cell Transplant Center.