The Blood Transplant & Cell Therapies Group is at the forefront of research to transform bone marrow transplantation and cell therapies for blood cancers and infections. Our work focuses on developing innovative cell therapies, such as virus-specific and CAR T cells, to combat infections and target resistant cancers. Our research is translational, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications at Westmead Hospital, with the aim of improving outcomes for immunocompromised patients and those with aggressive or treatment-resistant malignancies.
Key research topics include:
- Virus-Specific T Cell Therapy: Developing and implementing T cell therapies to treat opportunistic viral infections in immunocompromised patients post-transplant.
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cells: Engineering and testing CAR T cells to target and eliminate blood cancers, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients with treatment-resistant malignancies.
- Immune Reconstitution: Enhancing immune system recovery following allogeneic stem cell transplantation to reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality.
- Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) Mitigation: Investigating strategies to minimize GVHD while maintaining anti-cancer and infection-fighting immune responses.
- Cell Therapy Manufacturing: Advancing the production and regulatory approval processes for cell therapies, including achieving Therapeutic Goods Administration licensing for virus-specific and CAR T cells.
- Relapse Prevention and Treatment: Exploring innovative approaches to prevent and treat cancer relapse after cell therapies, including next-generation CAR T cell strategies.
- Clinical Translation of Novel Therapies: Bridging laboratory research and patient care by translating preclinical findings into successful clinical trials.
Recent Achievements
- Groundbreaking Clinical Trials
Launched a national randomized study on virus-specific T cells for opportunistic infections and a first-in-man trial for fungus-specific T cells, showing promising initial outcomes. - Major Equipment and Infrastructure Investment
Secured key funding from the NHMRC for a VIA Freeze Quad Controlled Rate Freezer and from Cancer Institute NSW for advanced imaging technology, enhancing our cell therapy capabilities. - Pioneering CAR T Cell Developments
Advanced a unique CAR T cell study (CLARIFY trial) for refractory lymphoma and built a national consortium for cell manufacturing, collaborating with Brisbane and Perth to expand access
Recent publications

CAR T Cell Differentiation Trajectory Study Nature Communications, 2023

Cytokine Patterns and CMV Reactivation Clinical & Translational Immunology, 2023

Combining CD34+ Stem Cell Selection with T Cell Immunotherapy American Journal of Hematology, 2023

Decisional Regret in HSCT Survivors Clinical Nursing Research, 2023

Early Cessation of Immunosuppression in Haploidentical HSCT Blood Advances, 2023
Name | Role |
Professor David Gottlieb | Director, Blood Transplant & Cell Therapies Program; Professor of Haematology, University of Sydney |
Associate Professor Emily Blyth | Clinical Lead, Immune Effector Cell Service; Research Lead, T Cell Therapies |
Dr Ken Micklethwaite | Senior Scientist, CAR T Cell Program |