From the Apollo Era to the World's First Cell Therapy

"The first patient’s biopsy came back with no evidence of leukemia. When Carl saw the email from David Porter, he said, 'I don’t believe it – it’s too good to be true.' A repeat biopsy confirmed it. Then the same happened with the second and third patients. Two complete responses, one partial."

When the first patients at the University of Pennsylvania received an experimental treatment for leukemia, the results went far beyond expectations and ultimately led to the world's first CAR T cell therapy: Kymriah. Alongside Carl June and others, Bruce Levine was one of the scientists involved. Today, he is the Barbara and Edward Netter professor in cancer gene therapy at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a former president of the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT). He also chairs ISCT's committee on ethics in cell and gene therapy. As he puts it: "Once you're with ISCT, it's kind of an addiction to stay with them."

We spoke with him to learn more about his career, ISCT, and his experience with the Kymriah studies.

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