معرفی
Ann Marie Leen, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics-Hem-Onc and a Member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Her research focuses on T cell immunotherapy for viruses and cancer, particularly in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. She holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham (2002) and Baylor College of Medicine (2005).
Education:
- PhD, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (2002)
- PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (2005)
Research Interests:
Dr. Leen’s work centers on cytotoxic T cell (CTL) therapies for viral infections and malignant diseases. Key areas include:
- Adoptive transfer of donor-derived virus-specific CTLs for adenoviral infections post-transplant
- Development of tumor-specific CTLs targeting cancer testis antigens (SSX2/SSX4)
- Immunotherapy protocols for relapsed EBV-negative Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Engineering T-cells with enhanced specificity and potency
Articles Overview:
Recent work highlights advancements in CAR-T cell engineering, viral immunity, and tumor microenvironment modulation. Notable themes include:
- Optimizing CAR-T cell persistence and specificity
- Targeting viral antigens (EBV, Adenovirus) in immunocompromised patients
- Novel approaches to overcome tumor immune suppression
Advising & Grants:
Dr. Leen collaborates extensively on clinical trials and T-cell manufacturing protocols. While specific grant details are not listed, her work aligns with major initiatives in adoptive immunotherapy and cell therapy.
Labs/Teams:
Affiliated with the Center for Cell & Gene Therapy, a hub for pioneering cell-based therapies at Baylor College of Medicine.
