Pediatric Cancer Immunotherapy
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Why choose UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals for immunotherapy cancer treatment?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. One of the most promising forms of immunotherapy, called cellular therapy, is transforming cancer care. It can help children with relapsed or treatment-resistant cancer have better outcomes with fewer side effects.
At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we are leading the way in advanced cellular therapies, including CAR T-cell therapy. We offer these therapies in clinical trials, giving children with challenging diseases early access to breakthrough treatments before they're widely available. We're also among the few programs in Northern California offering the only FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy for children, adolescents and young adults with leukemia and lymphoma.
Why choose UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals for immunotherapy cancer treatment?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. One of the most promising forms of immunotherapy, called cellular therapy, is transforming cancer care. It can help children with relapsed or treatment-resistant cancer have better outcomes with fewer side effects.
At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we are leading the way in advanced cellular therapies, including CAR T-cell therapy. We offer these therapies in clinical trials, giving children with challenging diseases early access to breakthrough treatments before they're widely available. We're also among the few programs in Northern California offering the only FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy for children, adolescents and young adults with leukemia and lymphoma.
Pioneers in childhood leukemia treatment
We were the first hospital in California certified to provide CAR T-cell therapy to children with leukemia outside of a clinical trial.Specialized care for young adults
Our oncologists care for patients through age 30, giving young adults access to innovative treatments not typically available at adult centers.Family-centered support
If treatment requires an extended stay, Family House enables families to stay near the hospital and close to their child, free of charge.Collaborative approach
Pediatric providers, including oncologists and stem cell transplant specialists, work together to meet the needs of each child.
Advanced cellular therapy for childhood cancers
We often use CAR T-cell therapy to treat children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) when other treatments aren't effective or cancer returns after treatment. This advanced immunotherapy trains a child's immune cells to recognize and attack cancer.
During treatment, we collect T cells (a type of white blood cell) and modify them in a laboratory. Scientists add a gene that enables the cells to target a specific protein on leukemia cells. They multiply the modified T cells and return them to the patient's body, giving them a boost of cancer-fighting cells.
Once offered only through clinical trials, CAR T-cell therapy is now available for children and young adults as an approved therapy called KYMRIAH®. In most studies, about 90% of patients achieved remission after one dose. This highly specialized gene therapy is only available at select institutions, including UCSF.
New treatment options for cancers and autoimmune disorders
Researchers at UCSF are investigating how cellular therapies can treat other childhood cancers and autoimmune disorders. We offer one of the largest selections of early-phase clinical trials in Northern California. Families across the West Coast turn to us for our pioneering research and clinical expertise.
We are actively studying cellular therapies for:
Leukemias
Brain tumors
Liver tumors
Crohn's disease
Lupus
Mucopolysaccharidosis type 1
Type 1 diabetes
Highlights of our cancer care
Leading-edge treatments
We're among the first to offer new treatment options, as soon as they're proven safe and effective. In addition, patients can access promising experimental therapies by participating in one of our many clinical trials.Precision medicine
High-risk tumors are analyzed with the UCSF500 Cancer Gene Panel, a state-of-the-art test that identifies mutations in the tumor's DNA. The results can indicate the best treatment course and, in some cases, clarify the exact type of cancer.Seamless care, near and far
Dedicated patient navigators help families with managing referrals, insurance concerns and appointment planning. We work with patients and referring doctors well beyond the San Francisco Bay Area, thanks to our comprehensive telehealth system.Thorough follow-up
Our Pediatric Survivorship Program provides expert care to address any medical, psychological or social issues that arise after treatment is complete. The team also ensures smooth transitions to adult care providers as our patients leave childhood behind.
Providers
Benjamin S. Braun, MD, PhD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology • Medical Oncology
Maria I. Castellanos, MD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Julia Chu, MD, MPH
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Christopher Dvorak, MD
Medical Oncology • Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Awards & achievements
Best in Northern California and top 10 in the nation for cancer care
Designated an early phase clinical trials core site by the Children's Oncology Group
Accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy
Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Brain and Spine Tumors
- Hepatoblastoma
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Pediatric Brain Tumor
- Pediatric Cancer
Treatments
Clinical trials
A Phase 1 Study of FT819 in B-cell Mediated Autoimmune DiseaseOpens in a new window
This is a phase 1 study designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and anti-B-cell activity of FT819 following treatment with or without auxiliary medicinal product (AMP) in participants with moderate-to-severe active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with or without nephritis, antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), idiopathic inflammatory myositis...Outcomes in Pediatric and Young Adult B-Cell Malignancies After Commercially Available ImmunotherapyOpens in a new window
To use a consistent and standardized platform to retrospectively and prospectively study children and young adults with B cell malignancies receiving Immunotherapy, blinatumomab and/or inotuzumab ozogamicin.A Study to Evaluate Glofitamab Monotherapy and Glofitamab + Chemoimmunotherapy in Pediatric and Young Adult Participants With Relapsed/Refractory Mature B-Cell Non-Hodgkin LymphomaOpens in a new window
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of glofitamab, as monotherapy and in combination with a standard chemoimmunotherapy regimen: rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (R-ICE) in pediatric and young adult participants with relapsed and refractory (R/R) mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL).A Study to Compare Blinatumomab Alone to Blinatumomab With Nivolumab in Patients Diagnosed With First Relapse B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)Opens in a new window
This phase II trial studies the effect of nivolumab in combination with blinatumomab compared to blinatumomab alone in treating patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) that has come back (relapsed). Down syndrome patients with relapsed B-ALL are included in this study. Blinatumomab is an antibody, which is a protein that identifies and targets specific molecules in the body...
