Carl H. June

His lab conducted the first trials of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells, done in patients with HIV/AIDS with the CD4zeta CAR. Using cell culture systems developed in his lab, CARs have been shown to be safe and persist for more than a decade in patients with HIV infection. Lab created and optimized CARs for cancer by targeting CD19 and mesothelin. They identified the 4-1BB signaling domain expressed using lentiviral vectors as a potent approach to increase proliferation and persistence of CAR T cells. Initial results were striking and indicate that CAR T cells are the first successful application of the principles of synthetic biology to humans. His team has since then treated more than 70 patients with CLL and adult and pediatric ALL. Nearly 90% of patients with relapsed/refractory ALL are in complete remission. Two of the first three patients remain in continuous remission more than 3 years on. Most recently his team has conducted the first targeted genetic editing in humans, establishing the principle that T cells can be made permanently resistant to HIV infection.