As Chief of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Dr. Mitchell Cairo leads a team of researchers to develop and investigate novel strategies of targeted therapies and cellular strategies, including gene therapy and stem cell regenerative therapy, to activate the body’s defense system and to replace damaged cells with thriving ones. Cellular therapy for childhood cancer and blood disorders has become one of the most promising areas of medical research. The promise of unlocking treatments and cures to rare disorders by harnessing the power of the patient’s own body renews the efforts of Dr. Cairo’s team to lead advances that save lives while minimizing unwanted side effects.
The research program at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College consists of basic, translational and clinical research in cancer, hematological and blood disorders, immune diseases and stem cell transplantation. There is a multidisciplinary team that focuses on specific areas of research into hematological malignancies, solid tumors, hemoglobinopathies, immune deficiencies, bone marrow failures, hemostasis and thrombosis and other selected diseases. The program also affords a unique opportunity for students, residents, fellows and post doctoral candidates to pursue research and training in the above-mentioned fields. Several “state of the art” research programs include: cancer genetics, cancer biology, tumor immunology, transplantation biology and immunology, stem cell biology, hematopoiesis, stem cell regenerative therapy, developmental and experimental therapeutics, stem and cellular transplantation and others.
Diseases:
The research programs cover many areas of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation including: acute and chronic leukemias, lymphomas, brain tumors, solid tumors (neuroblastoma, sarcomas, Wilms Tumor, hepatic and germ cell tumors), hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell disease and thalassemia), bone marrow failure syndromes (aplastic anemia and Fanconi anemia), immunodeficiencies (SCID and CGD), bleeding and clotting disorders (hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, idopathic thrombocytopenia etc.), and lymphohistiocytic disorders.
