L. Elizabeth Budde, MD, PhD

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant is the preferred and only curative treatment for most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, a significant percentage of patients will eventually relapse. A novel effective therapy option is therefore urgently needed. Dr. Budde [The Jake Wetchler Foundation for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research Clinical Investigator] is testing a new strategy that uses patients' own immune T cells, which have been modified to specifically target and kill leukemia cells. She will direct a Phase 1 clinical trial using these modified immune T cells as therapeutics for patients with AML. This trial is a first-in-human study building on her extensive preclinical research on these cells. She is also developing ways to enhance the potency of these modified immune cells in killing leukemia cells. This therapeutic approach has the potential to change the treatment paradigm and may significantly improve the cure rate for patients with leukemia.