Vitanza Lab

The goal of the Vitanza Lab is to find new treatments that are both safe and curative for high-grade, aggressive pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors, such as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M-altered (DMG), and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). Our central efforts include:

Generating new central nervous system (CNS) tumor laboratory models, including treatment-naïve DIPG/DMG models derived from patient biopsies and autopsy-derived models made possible through generous donations from patients and families across the country.
Identifying biologic and epigenetic vulnerabilities in DIPG/DMG so that we can advance the best molecularly-targeted drugs to kill tumor cells.
Designing and deploying chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, an immunotherapy that can be delivered directly into the brain for highly-specific targeted tumor killing – such as on our BrainChild clinical trials.

Featured Projects

Comprehensive Program for Children with DIPG/DMG

Our program focuses on an integrated approach to DIPG and DMG in the clinic, in the lab and through development of new clinical trials.

CAR T cell Immunotherapy

We reprogram a child’s own immune T cells so that they can hunt down and destroy cancer.

Pediatric CNS Tumor Model Development

We’re generating better models for better treatments.

Epigenetic Targeting of DIPG/DMG

Epigenetic drugs may help treat DIPG and DMG.

Support Our Lab

If you would like to donate to the Vitanza Lab, please choose “Other” and type in “Vitanza Lab” when asked where you want your gift to go. Donate today.

Recent Key Publications

Link to Publication

Intraventricular B7-H3 CAR T Cells for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma: Preliminary First-in-Human Bioactivity and Safety

Link to Publication

Locoregional infusion of HER2-specific CAR T cells in children and young adults with recurrent or refractory CNS tumors: an interim analysis

Link to Publication

Optimal therapeutic targeting by HDAC inhibition in biopsy-derived treatment-naïve diffuse midline glioma models

Link to Publication

ONC201 in Combination with Paxalisib for the Treatment of H3K27-Altered Diffuse Midline Glioma

Link to Publication

Locoregional CAR T cells for children with CNS tumors: Clinical procedure and catheter safety

Contact the Vitanza Lab

Nicholas A Vitanza, MD

For questions or inquiries,
email: nicholas.vitanza@seattlechildrens.org
telephone: 206-884-4084

Physical Address

Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research
B. Wayne Hughes Building 09-148
1920 Terry Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101