About the Leukemia and Lymphoma Program

There’s no other hospital in the United States with the depth of expertise in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma, cellular immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation as you’ll find at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

We bring together a team of experts in each disease type and treatment modality to develop a comprehensive care plan to ensure the best possible outcome for your child. We are specially equipped to effectively treat all newly diagnosed and relapsed leukemias and lymphomas that occur in children, adolescents and young adults, and to care for critically ill patients. Our extraordinary intensive care unit resources and infectious disease expertise for immunocompromised patients are unmatched.

Our approach to leukemia and lymphoma treatment

Each member of our leukemia and lymphoma team is intensively involved in all aspects of our patients’ care planning, treatment and follow-up. Our unique approach to care includes:

  • Integrating cutting-edge molecular diagnostics into the everyday care of our patients, ensuring each child’s treatment plan is customized to the unique profile of their leukemia or lymphoma
  • Use of data-driven treatment guidelines we’ve developed for newly diagnosed and relapsed patients
  • Monitoring patients through important treatment milestones, and adjusting the course of care as needed
  • Weekly team review of hospitalized patients to ensure they receive the best possible care
  • Discussing challenging clinical issues each week to develop a comprehensive and consistent treatment plan with the input of the full team
  • Close collaboration with our psychosocial support team to provide optimal care to each child and their family

New options: world leaders in immunotherapy

Children with advanced B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) now have a new groundbreaking treatment option. Physicians and researchers with the Cancer Immunotherapy Program at CHOP led the development of the first-ever FDA-approved cell therapy for cancer, known as chimeric antigen receptor (“CAR”) T-cell therapy for ALL.

Using this therapy, commercially known as Kymriah, CHOP has treated hundreds of children, adolescents and young adults who had relapsed and refractory ALL — more than any other center in the world. We also offer numerous clinical trials for investigative options for patients with other treatment-resistant forms of cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Access to cutting-edge clinical trials

Our oncologists are not only experts in delivering treatment, but are involved in the development of new ways to treat these diseases more safely, effectively and with fewer side effects. Some of the most significant breakthroughs in the treatment of pediatric cancers have been made by doctors here at Children’s Hospital.

We offer participation in research studies through the Children’s Oncology Group, other research groups, and local investigator-initiated clinical trials.

Our experts are leaders in the Children's Oncology Group leukemia and lymphoma disease groups, and regularly design and lead important Children's Oncology Group clinical trials. Our physicians also lead cutting-edge translational and clinical research programs, giving our team access to therapy and supportive care options not available elsewhere. Finally, our team leads a wide range of first-in-child clinical trials.


Next Steps
Existing Patients or Family Members
New Patients, Referrals and 2nd Opinions
Young boy smiling outside

Get a Second Opinion

Our experts are here to review your child’s diagnosis and treatment plan, and work with primary oncologists as needed.