Alan Hanash, MD, PhD

Allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation is a curative therapy for multiple hematologic malignancies as well as benign diseases. The safety of transplantation has improved tremendously over the years, however disease relapse remains a major problem and is currently the greatest complication of both autologous and allogeneic transplantation. My goal is to cure more cancer and prevent disease relapse by improving transplantation through the use of experimental models. During immune responses, T cells differentiate into specialized helper cells with unique roles in coordinating the response. I study these helper T cells and the cytokines that they make following transplant. By understanding their roles in graft vs. host disease and the graft vs. leukemia (GVL) effect, we may be able to separate these processes for the benefit of our patients. I am also interested in understanding GVL directed against acute myeloid leukemia so that we can learn how to make GVL more effective.