MSK has played a pioneering role in the development of cellular immunotherapy. Discoveries by MSK researchers helped establish CAR T-cell therapy and demonstrated the potential of genetically engineered immune cells to produce meaningful responses in patients with cancer.
Today, the Center for Cellular Immunotherapy, directed by Christopher A. Klebanoff, MD, is building on this legacy by bringing together laboratory and clinical investigators across MSK to accelerate the development of next-generation cell-based cancer treatments. The Center seeks to extend the reach of cellular immunotherapy to cancers that remain difficult to treat, including common solid cancers, myeloid blood malignancies, and cancers affecting children and young adults. By integrating fundamental discovery with innovative cell engineering, manufacturing, and early clinical investigation, the Center aims to translate promising scientific advances into new therapeutic approaches for patients.