In this episode "ASTCT Talks,” hosts Rebecca Epperly, MD, and Aimee Talleur, MD, from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, dive into the pioneering realm of CAR T-cell therapy and its late effects on pediatric patients. The discussion unfolds at the intersection of innovation and caution, highlighting the recent sessions from the 2024 Tandem meetings. They explore the emerging challenges and lack of data concerning long-term impacts of this revolutionary treatment, particularly in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult populations. This episode sheds light on both the immense potential and the imperative need for comprehensive studies to better understand and mitigate the long-term consequences of cellular therapies in treating high-risk malignancies.

About Dr. Rebecca Epperly, MD

Dr. Rebecca Epperly is an Instructor in the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BMTCT) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. After gaining undergraduate degrees in biochemistry (BS) and music performance (BA), she received an MD from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She then completed pediatrics residency at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and BMTCT at St. Jude. As a clinician scientist, she is now working to improve outcomes for pediatric patients with high-risk malignancies using cellular based immunotherapy, with a focus on developing early-phase CAR T cell studies and evaluating the delayed effects of novel therapies.

About Dr. Aimee Talleur, MD

Dr. Aimee Talleur is an Assistant Member in the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BMTCT) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, specializing in the clinical investigation of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of high-risk malignant disorders. She completed her BA at Union College, MD at SUNY Upstate Medical University, pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center, and fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and BMTCT at St. Jude. As a clinician scientist, Dr. Talleur focuses on the advancement of novel cellular therapies through early-phase clinical trials, including CAR T cell therapy. Additionally, her work includes the evaluation of acute and long-term toxicities of this immunotherapy approaches, seeking to better define such toxicities to inform upon predictive and intervention strategies.