New Cell Therapy for Relapses Following Stem Cell Transplantation: Study Published in the *Journal of Clinical Oncology*

As part of the team led by Prof. Dr. Eva Rettinger from the Department of Stem Cell Transplantation—headed by Prof. Peter Bader—at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Goethe University Frankfurt, in collaboration with the German Red Cross Blood Donation Service in Baden-Württemberg – Hesse (Prof. Torsten Tonn) and our endowed professor, Prof. Dr. Dirk Heckl, director of the Institute for Experimental Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (EPHO) at the Dr. Petra Joh Research Center, has published a groundbreaking new study.

What is it about? Children with high-risk leukemia face a significant risk of relapse following stem cell transplantation. While the donor lymphocytes used to date combat remaining tumor cells, they also pose risks to surrounding tissue or may lead to a recurrence.

In a Phase I/II study involving 53 patients at five centers, the research team has now investigated a newly developed cell therapy using CIK cells. The results are promising: there are clear advantages in terms of relapse rates and side effects compared to conventional lymphocyte administration.

This study offers hope to affected children and their families and serves as a striking example of how collaborative basic and clinical research paves the way for new, gentler therapies.

Link to the publication: Click here!