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.
Smart Cancer Therapies
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
Research News
Six students and their mentors receive undergraduate research fellowships
On May 3, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin hosted the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Awards Ceremony for the 2023-2024 academic year. This year, six students mentored by Department of Pediatrics faculty members were highlighted at the event. Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty …
June 13, 2024Congratulations to the department’s 18 faculty members who were promoted in 2024
Eighteen faculty members from the Department of Pediatrics were promoted this year. Their new ranks will become effective on June 30, 2024. Below is a list of the individuals who received promotions and their divisions …
June 11, 2024Celebrating National Doctors’ Day: Department members receive heartfelt appreciation messages
In honor of National Doctors’ Day, celebrated each year on March 30, UW Health gathered messages of gratitude from patients, families, and coworkers to share with its outstanding faculty members. Department of Pediatrics providers received …
June 10, 2024Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer names paper by Christian Capitini ‘best’ of 2023
The previously published manuscript, “Production and characterization of virus-free, CRISPR-CAR T cells capable of inducing solid tumor regression,” was voted the Best Immune Cell Therapies and Immune Cell Engineering Paper of 2023 by the Journal for …
January 19, 2024Christian Capitini receives grant to study potency of T cell therapies against cancer
The National Cancer Institute recently granted Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor and chief, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, an R01 award for his project, “Label-free Imaging of CAR T Cell Metabolism.” MPIs …
October 13, 2023- More News...