ACGT Email Newsletters

Ovarian cancer remains such a challenging gynecologic cancer to treat partly because of how effectively the tumors shield themselves from the immune system.  Joseph Fraietta, PhD, an ACGT Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, has devised a novel therapeutic strategy to breach those defenses and help patients, by combining an oncolytic virus, engineered CAR T cells, and antibodies to tip the balance in the immune system’s favor in fighting ovarian cancer.

Read the full story on Dr. Fraietta’s work.

August is National Make a Will Month, making it the ideal time to consider a blended gift—pairing a gift today with a legacy gift in your estate plans for tomorrow.

Taking time to create or update your Will can bring peace of mind to your loved ones down the road, yet over 60% of adults still lack an up-to-date plan. Designating a legacy gift to ACGT costs nothing during your lifetime, but it secures a commitment to meeting our mission of a cancer-free future through cell and gene therapy for generations to come.

Combining immediate support with a planned gift allows you to see your impact now while ensuring long-term strength—all without compromising your current financial security.

Glioblastoma has long been one of oncology’s toughest challenges, with survival improving only incrementally despite advances in surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Sheila K. Singh, MD, PhD—an ACGT Research Fellow and Scientific Advisory Council member at King’s College London—aims to change that. Her lab recently discovered that GPNMB is a cell-surface driver of tumor growth, invasion, and immune suppression found on both glioblastoma cells and the immunosuppressive macrophages that shield them from attack. Targeting GPNMB with immunotherapies like CAR T cells opens a powerful new path in treating one of the toughest-to-treat brain cancers.

Read our full interview with Professor Singh.

On June 20, hundreds gathered in Stamford, Connecticut, for the 20th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim, for a day of swimming, cheering and giving back in the fight against cancer. Since the first Fairfield County swim in 2007, the event has donated an incredible $7.5 million to ACGT — enough to support 16 Research Fellows advancing cell and gene therapies for solid tumors. This year, two speakers made that progress tangible: ACGT Research Fellow Joseph Fraietta, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, who represented the science, and cancer survivor Laurie Adami, who credits CAR T-cell therapy with saving her life — and who didnt just attend, but swam.

Read the full recap of this milestone celebration.

We are grateful for Swim Across America – Fairfield County’s support and invite you to attend next year’s event, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, 2027!

Cell and gene therapy took the national stage on July 1, when Fox News @ Night spotlighted the impact — and challenges — of CAR T-cell therapy. Two compelling voices from ACGT’s alliance of researchers and patient advocates brought the story to life. Yvonne Chen, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles, a leader in CAR T-cell engineering, spoke to the latest science and the hurdles still ahead in bringing cell therapy to more patients. Patient Advocate Laurie Adami showed what that innovative science makes possible. Diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in 2006, she credits a CAR T-cell clinical trial with ultimately saving her life—a story she shared this summer at Swim Across America – Fairfield County benefiting ACGT. Together, Laurie and Dr. Chen made the case for investing in the bold science that is driving real cures forward for cancer patients. The segment was hosted by FOX News correspondent Anita Vogel, who lost her husband last October to complications of pancreatic cancer.

Watch the full segment on Fox News

Read more about Laurie’s story of survival through CAR T therapy.

FDA advisory panel backs Replimune’s oncolytic virus for advanced melanoma. On July 30, an FDA advisory committee voted 10 to 3 that trial results show RP1 combined with nivolumab is effective for advanced melanoma patients previously treated with an anti-PD-1 regimen, ahead of a final FDA decision.

Johnson & Johnson teams with Sail Biomedicines on in vivo CAR-T. The collaboration to develop in vivo CAR-T cell therapies for autoimmune disease also gives J&J an exclusive option to acquire Sail.

First patient receives new off-the-shelf cell therapy for solid tumors. Norway’s Zelluna dosed the first patient in its phase 1 trial of ZI-MA4-1, the world’s first MAGE-A4-targeting T cell receptor-natural killer (TCR-NK) cell therapy to enter clinical development.

Carl H. June, MD, on the progress of CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. June, an ACGT Research Fellow and Scientific Advisory Council member at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the field with CellCarta’s Christopher Ung, including how in vivo CAR cells compare with conventional, lab-manufactured ex vivo CAR T cells.