Charles Gersbach, PhD
Director, Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies
United in Our Mission to Cure Rare Disease
Charles Gersbach, PhD
2024 Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Scholar
Epigenetically Enhanced Cell Therapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Propelled by his keen interest in the intersection of sciences, engineering, and medicine, Charles Gersbach, PhD is developing innovative genetics- and genomics-based therapies to tackle Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL), a rare blood cancer. With support from the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), he hopes to demonstrate safety and effectiveness of reprogrammed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells in animal models to fight Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL).
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 9,000 new cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma are projected each year. Typically diagnosed in young adults between the ages of 15 and 35 and in older adults over age 50, Hodgkin's Lymphoma begins when certain white blood cells mutate and hijack normal immune system processes. These cells can spread to other places in the body, including lungs, liver, and spleen.
Although bone marrow transplants, radiation, and chemotherapy can cure many patients, those who relapse or do not respond to initial treatments face limited options and severe long-term side effects.
CAR T cell therapies are an alternative. In some patients, however, T cell exhaustion allows HL to progress.
“Unlike previous trials targeting one aspect of T cell biology, our multifaceted engineering strategy targets key epigenetic nodes and can enhance T cell effectiveness and durability,” Dr. Gersbach explains.
Imagine a future where genomic sciences evolve into the field of genomic engineering. Dr. Gersbach draws a parallel to electrical engineering.
“We understand circuitry in electrical engineering,” he says. “Now, with available tools to add or replace pieces of genes, we can rewire the genome like a circuit board.”