The Michael G. Harris Cell Therapy & Cell Engineering Facility plays a critical role in further developing innovative therapies for pediatric patients. With about 100 times as many adults as children being diagnosed each year with cancer, pharmaceutical companies focus their efforts on the larger adult population. In contrast, the creation of this state-of-the-art facility enables Memorial Sloan-Kettering to move ahead aggressively with the development of investigational biological approaches for children as well as for adults. In addition to meeting the need for cell-based therapies that benefit pediatric cancer patients, such as blood components engineered for heightened action against tumors, the Harris Facility offers new promise for treatment of other severe blood disorders affecting children, including ß-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.
