Boston Children’s is now offering KYMRIAH®, a form of gene therapy that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017. It works by genetically altering the body's T-cells — immune system cells — to detect and destroy infected or cancerous cells. A sample of a patient's T-cells is collected and modified in the lab to produce special structures called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. Once returned to the patient through an IV infusion, these “supercharged” T-cells are able to latch onto a specific antigen on the patient's cancer cells and destroy them.
KYMRIAH® is indicated for patients up to 25 years of age with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia that is refractory or in second or later relapse. We are also a certified treatment center for providing KYMRIAH® to patients who are 18 and older with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma.
For more information about KYMRIAH® or to refer a patient, email the Gene Therapy Program at gene.therapy@childrens.harvard.edu.
