Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) remains the only potentially curative option for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies. However, many patients do not achieve long-term remission as around 40% of AML patients will relapse after HSCT. The prognosis for these patients is dismal since many, particularly those with early relapse, cannot tolerate the intensive or targeted chemotherapy that would be indicated in this setting.
What if potent targeted therapies could be used following HSCT? We are developing treatment-resistant HSCs, potentially allowing use of targeted modalities such as ADCs and CAR-Ts in the post-transplant setting without the concerns for graft failure or prolonged cytopenia that currently eliminate many post-transplant treatment options.