10 Years of CAR T-cell Therapy
First child to receive revolutionary CAR T therapy celebrates 10 years cancer free
Emily Whitehead, now 17, received life-saving treatment at CHOP's No. 1 ranked pediatric oncology program, transforming the field of cancer immunotherapy
In 2012, Tom and Kari Whitehead came to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) looking for a miracle for their 6-year-old daughter, Emily, who was battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The standard treatment that works for the vast majority of children with ALL — the most common form of childhood cancer — did not work for Emily. She relapsed twice, and her disease was so out of control that she was ineligible for a bone marrow transplant to treat it.
How cancer immunotherapy works
This is a kid-friendly explanation of how cancer immunotherapy (T-cell therapy) works. This animation explains, in simple terms, how scientists harness the power of the immune system to kill cancer cells.
Donate Now to Support Patients Like Emily
Gifts from donors like you helped fund the research and clinical trials that led to CAR T-cell therapy, and gave Emily and children all over the world lifetimes of milestones to look forward to. Since Emily received her treatment, thousands of children have been treated using CAR T-cell therapy. CHOP’s No. 1-ranked pediatric oncology program alone has treated over 440 children – more than any other hospital in the world.
