Cell engineering and immunotherapy research are key approaches to the future of cancer treatment. The Center for Cell Engineering (CCE) plays an integral role in this research, providing and developing the tools needed by investigators and clinicians to conduct innovative clinical trials.

The CCE focuses on two major areas: immune engineering with a focus on T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and artificial antigen presenting cells to stimulate the body’s immune response to cancer, and human stem cell research, with a dual focus on hematologic and neurologic disorders.

CAR T Cell Therapy Trials

Leukemia

A Phase I Trial of Precursor B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) Treated with Autologous T Cells Genetically Targeted  to the B Cell Specific Antigen CD19(CAR)
Investigator: Jae Park, MD
Co-Investigator: Craig Sauter, MD

A Phase I Trial of Consolidation Therapy with Autologous T Cells Genetically Targeted to the B Cell Specific Antigen CD19 in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Following Upfront Chemotherapy with Pentostatin, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab
Investigator: Jae Park, MD
Co-Investigator: Craig Sauter, MD; Andrew Zelenetz, MD, PhD

A Phase I Trial of Autologous T-Lymphocytes Genetically Targeted to the B-Cell Specific Antigen CD19 in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with relapsed B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Investigator: Kevin Curran, MD
Co-Investigator: Nancy Kernan, MD; Rachel Kobos, MD; Peter Steinherz, MD

A Phase I Dose Escalation Trial Using In Vitro Expanded Allogeneic Epstein-Barr Virus Specific Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes (EBV-CTLs) Genetically Targeted to the B-Cell Specific Antigen CD19 Positive Residual Or Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Transplantation
Investigator: Kevin Curran, MD
Co-Investigator: Nancy Kernan, MD; Craig Sauter, MD

Lymphoma

A Phase I/IIa Trial For The Treatment of Relapsed or Chemotherapy Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or Indolent B Cell Lymphoma Using Autologous T Cells Genetically Targeted to the B Cell Specific Antigen CD19
Investigator: Jae Park, MD
Co-Investigator: M. Lia Palomba, MD; Craig Sauter, MD

A Phase I Trial of High Dose Therapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Followed by Infusion of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Modified T-Cells Directed Against CD19+ B-Cells for Relapsed and Refractory Aggressive B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Investigator: Craig Sauter, MD
Co-Investigator: Jenna Goldberg, MD; Jae Park, MD

Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer and Mesothelioma

A Phase I Clinical Trial of Malignant Pleural Disease Treated with Autologous T Cells Genetically Engineered to Target the Cancer-Cell Surface Antigen Mesothelin
Investigator: Prasad S. Adusumilli, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Lee Krug, MD; Roisin O’Cearbhaill, MB BCh BAO