Institute for Cell Therapy & Innovation

 

By focusing on harnessing the body’s immune system to develop lifesaving therapies for patients worldwide, we will advance cell therapy and transform cancer care.

Accelerating the translation of science into treatments to extend lives

For some cancers, traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are not enough. Cell therapy presents a new opportunity by engineering the immune system to defeat cancer from within.

 

Led by Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., vice president and head of the institute, MD Anderson’s experts are pioneering next-generation therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR NK) cells, to make treatments safer, more effective and more accessible.

David Jaffray, Ph.D. Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology; and Caroline Chung, M.D. Department of CNS - Rad Onc Clinical, Division of Radiation Oncology
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How Cell Therapy Benefits Cancer Patients

Cell therapy uses the body’s natural defenders—T cells and NK cells—to fight cancer. NK cells in particular offer unique advantages, including lower risk of complications, greater scalability and reduced cost. This approach could make lifesaving therapies available to more patients sooner.

Strategic Focus Areas

MD Anderson is a leader in cell therapy. Rezvani and her team have conducted preclinical and clinical research for over a decade, including first-in-human trials. Based on their success, institutional leadership has made cell therapy a fundraising priority. A multidisciplinary research team will draw on expertise in immunology, cancer genomics, drug development, data science and artificial intelligence. Future funding will accelerate efforts to translate discoveries into Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies.

Expand cell therapy applications

We’re adapting therapies for blood cancers, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases.

 

Improve potency and reduce toxicity

The institute is engineering immune cells that are more powerful against cancer and safer for patients.

 

Explore combination therapies

We’re pairing cell therapies with other treatments to create customized plans.

 

Lower the cost of cancer care

By scaling NK cell production, refining manufacturing and building industry collaborations, we will make therapy more affordable.

The Limitless Potential of NK Cells

MD Anderson is home to one of the world’s largest umbilical cord blood banks, a safe, rich source of NK cells. A single cord can generate more than 100 doses of therapy. With patented advances in cultivation and freezing, these therapies can be shipped worldwide and administered in outpatient settings—expanding access and lowering costs.

Impact Through Philanthropy That's Only Possible Here

 

The Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation requires significant investment to expedite breakthrough research, manufacturing, clinical trials and training. Philanthropy accelerates this momentum, fuels innovation and ensures that patients benefit more rapidly.

 

Your support helps to transform cancer care and offers promise to families everywhere.

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“I thought I was a goner. But every day, it gets a little better.”

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor JC Cox turned to MD Anderson when local treatment failed to keep the cancer at bay. Here, a single dose of a new cell therapy administered through a clinical trial has put—and kept—him in remission. 

READ JC'S STORY
JC-Cox-survivor-and-katy-rezvani

A Revolutionary Leader in Cell Therapy

Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice President & Head, Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation

Meet Dr. Rezvani
Dr. Katy Rezvani, Strategic Priority Leader

Together, we are Making Cancer History®. With your support, we can scale innovation, deliver safer treatments and bring lifesaving therapies to patients everywhere.

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