Daniel W. Lee, MD, University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville
One-year study, final summary 2019
Dr. Lee and his lab set out to develop a brand new tool to effectively treat children with DIPG. Using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells, a therapy he helped pioneer in children with refractory leukemia, Dr. Lee’s lab designed, built, and implemented a new CAR T cell therapy that rapidly and effectively kills multiple types of DIPG tumors in the culture dish as well as in mice with human DIPG tumors in their brains. Importantly, the cured mice do not exhibit any side effects including neurologic effects.
They are on the verge of publishing this data, which is only possible through the help and funding by the generous donors to the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation. Dr. Lee aims to open a clinical trial of this new CAR T cell therapy for DIPG at the University of Virginia using a new, recently opened clinical-grade cell manufacturing facility.