Cancer Immunotherapy Program
Children with certain cancers and other disorders of the blood and immune system may benefit from cellular immunotherapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Doctors at Children's Hospital were the first to begin offering cell therapy in pediatrics as part of a pilot study in 2012. Our doctors and researchers helped develop the first national and international clinical trials for an immunotherapy known as chimeric antigen receptor (“CAR”) T-cell therapy for children with advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell ALL was the first-ever cell therapy to receive FDA approval. Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD, Chief of the Cellular Therapy and Transplant Section at CHOP, was the lead investigator for the global trial led by Novartis.
Emily Whitehead, First Pediatric Patient to Receive CAR T-Cell Therapy, Celebrates Cure 10 Years Later
Whitehead received life-saving treatment at CHOP, under the care of Dr. Stephan Grupp, transforming the field of cancer immunotherapy.
Why Choose Us?
The Cancer Immunotherapy team at CHOP was the first to use CAR T-cell therapy in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We have since treated more than 400 children with this therapy. Our team continues to research the use of T-cell therapy in the treatment of several other forms of pediatric cancer.
Conditions We Treat
We provide highly specialized cancer immunotherapy options for children with a variety of conditions. Learn more about the conditions we treat.
Our Programs and Services
Our Team
The Cancer Immunotherapy team is made up of oncologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, financial counselors, a nurse navigator and researchers with extensive experience in the treatment of children using T-cell therapy.