CAR T cell therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of many leukemia and lymphoma patients. “For our relapsed leukemia and lymphoma patients we found some really impressive responses with these clinical trials,” said Samantha Jaglowski, MD, associate director for clinical operations and quality of the Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program. In this episode, Part 1 or a two-part series on the James Cellular Therapy Program, Jaglowski explains the basics of CAR T cell therapy. The white blood cells are removed from a patient and “re-engineered to become super charged fighters,” she said. “They are trained to recognize and respond [to cancer cells] and if these cancer cells pop up again these cells are already primed to recognize and fight it.” Now that CAR T cell therapy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat certain types of leukemia and lymphoma, Jaglowski and her James colleagues are exploring new ways to utilize this treatment option for other types of cancer. “We involved in studies to use cellular therapies for melanomas, cervical cancer, lung cancer … and we expect FDA approval; for treating melanoma [with CAR T cell therapy] in 2024.” She also discusses how the James is now re-engineering cells “in house,” which speeds up the treatment process; and new clinical trials to utilize donor cells in CAR T cell treatment. “The advantage is these cells have never been exposed to cancer and can be off-the-shelf and ready immediately.” The James will also begin treating some patients with CAR T cell on an outpatient basis. While the growth of CAR T cell therapy is a game changer, “we can never be satisfied,” Dr. Jaglowski said.