Paul Sondel

Paul Sondel is a Professor and the Reed and Carolee Walker Professor of Pediatric Oncology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, with joint appointments in the Department of Pediatrics, Human Oncology, and Genetics. He is a leading figure in pediatric cancer immunotherapy and directs a multidisciplinary team focused on state-of-the-art treatment for childhood cancers and hematology disorders.

His education includes a

• PhD in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1975)
• MD from Harvard Medical School (1977), earned magna cum laude

He completed pediatric residencies at the University of Minnesota and UW–Madison before joining the UW faculty in 1980.

Sondel’s research is centered on cancer immunotherapy, particularly harnessing innate immune effector cells like natural killer (NK) cells for anti-tumor benefit. His lab investigates Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC), using tumor-reactive monoclonal antibodies combined with IL-2-activated NK cells. A major focus is the hu14.18-IL2 fusion protein, which has shown potent in vivo immunological activation in Phase I/II trials for neuroblastoma and melanoma. His team also explores CD40 ligation and Toll-like receptor-9 (CpG) activation to reprogram immunosuppressive macrophages into tumor-killing effector cells, with synergistic effects when combined with ADCC. His work spans basic, preclinical, and clinical research, emphasizing translation to patient benefit, particularly in minimal residual disease settings.

His research has been validated clinically, including a Children’s Oncology Group Phase III trial showing improved disease-free survival in high-risk neuroblastoma. His lab integrates in vitro immune analyses and genetic polymorphism studies to understand mechanisms of response.

Sondel has received significant grant support from organizations including

• CURE Childhood Cancer
• Band of Parents
• Hyundai Hope on Wheels
• Hartwell Foundation

He is frequently the principal investigator on multi-year, multi-investigator projects focused on bispecific antibodies and immunotherapies for neuroblastoma.

He mentors trainees and has guided undergraduate students receiving university research fellowships. He leads the Sondel Laboratory and collaborates within the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center (UWCCC) and the Children’s Oncology Group. He also contributes to national scientific policy through roles at the NIH, American Cancer Society, NCI, and St. Jude’s.