Our group focuses on using adoptive cellular therapies, like natural killer (NK) cell and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell infusions to cure pediatric cancers. We also engineer monocytes/macrophages using exosomes to reduce toxicity from immune-related adverse events, such as graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) and acute radiation syndrome.
Early Progress Seen in Pediatric Immunotherapy
Cellular Immunotherapy: One component of the Immunotherapy & Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Research Group is exploring methods to improve the usage of NK cells to treat children with solid tumors. We are also developing imaging techniques to monitor NK cell trafficking into tumors in real time, allowing us to understand where they go and how long they persist after infusion.
Engineering and Observing a Graft-vs-Tumor Effect Against Neuroblastoma
We also study how CAR T cells can be used to treat pediatric cancers. Dr. Capitini is a site Principal Investigator for clinical trials studying how CAR T cells treat children with high risk B cell leukemia. The Immunotherapy & Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Research Group is also developing non-viral approaches to generate CAR T cells to treat solid tumors as well as innovative methods for tracking them after infusion.
NCI Announces Support for Research in Cell-based Immunotherapies of Human Cancer
Immune-related adverse events: Total body irradiation is often used as a preparatory regimen before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant because it can eliminate the host’s hematopoietic cells, called hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome, and also eliminate residual leukemia. It can also contribute to the development of acute GVHD, which is caused by donor T cells attacking normal host tissues that have been damaged by the irradiation such as the liver, skin or gut. We are developing alternatively activated monocytes and macrophages, using exosomes from mesenchymal stromal cells, to treat acute radiation syndrome and GVHD.
Additional Research Activities
- Basic, translational and clinical research of pediatric cancers
- Adoptive cell therapies (NK cell and CAR T cell infusions)
- Models of bone marrow transplant
- Graft-versus-host-disease
- Acute radiation syndrome
- Macrophages
Research Opportunities – Graduate Students
For students interested in obtaining a PhD, Dr. Capitini is a trainer for the Cellular and Molecular Pathology (CMP), Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB), Clinical Investigation (ICTR), and Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBMS) Graduate Programs. For more information, please click on the link for each program above.
Research Opportunities – Postdoctoral Fellows
Interested applicants with experience in cellular immunology, tumor models and/or genetic engineering may send a cover letter, CV, and emails for 3 references to ccapitini@pediatrics.wisc.edu for consideration.
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Additional Information
Lab News
Christian Capitini and Peiman Hematti awarded new R01 NHLBI grant
Congratulations to Principal Investigator Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with Co-PI Peiman Hematti, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, who were recently awarded a new NIH R01 grant from the National …
September 15, 2021Christian Capitini receives endowed professorship
The Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs has appointed Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, to the Jean R. Finley Professor in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. This endowed professorship is for a five-year term …
August 31, 2021Christian Capitini awarded pilot grant to study new therapies for pediatric solid tumors
Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with co-investigator Krishanu Saha, PhD, associate professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, were recently awarded a $50,000 grant from …
August 27, 2021Christian Capitini and team awarded UW Research Forward grant
Congratulations to Principal Investigator Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with co-PIs Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, and Reinier Hernandez, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of …
June 22, 2021Christian Capitini, MD, will collaborate with Saha Lab on new award
Congratulations to Krishanu Saha, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, who will serve as Co-PIs on a new project funded by the UW Grainger Institute for …
May 8, 2021- More News...
