-t-cell-therapy.jpg?sfvrsn=ae7b37a2_1)
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) accounts for 30 per cent of newly diagnosed childhood cancers in Singapore. There are two main types, each presenting distinct clinical challenges:
To address this critical treatment gap, the CAR T-cell therapy programme has transformed outcomes for B-ALL patients through CD19 and CD22 CAR-T cell therapies, and it is now extending unprecedented hope to T-ALL patients who previously had no curative options.
Our programme supports a broad spectrum patients in need of advanced cellular therapies, including:
Professor Allen Yeoh, Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI), is an internationally recognised authority in paediatric and adolescent leukaemia. He led the clinical application of the breakthrough CAR T-cell technology and is at the forefront of leukaemia treatment innovation across Asia.
Prof Yeoh pioneered risk-stratified treatment approaches and clinical protocols that have significantly improved childhood survival regionally. His deep expertise guides patient selection and ensure the safe, effective application of CAR-T therapy.
Prof Yeoh is also:
Dr Elaine Coustan-Smith, Principal Research Scientist, Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, is a world leader in flow cytometry immunophenotyping. She developed ultra-sensitive flow cytometry techniques to detect CD7 proteins on leukaemia cells and led precision immunophenotyping strategies that directly shape CAR T-cell therapy design.
Her laboratory is one of the world’s most experienced in flow cytometry immunophenotyping, advancing ultra-sensitive methods capable of detecting disease at the rarest cellular level—setting the global standard for measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring.
Dr Coustan-Smith’s expertise enables fully personalised care for every patient. Before CAR T-cells are created, each patient’s leukaemia cells undergo comprehensive immunophenotyping to map their full antigen profile. This ensures the team selects the optimal CAR construct—whether single-target (e.g. CD19) or dual-target (CD19 and CD22)—to eliminate >99.9% of leukaemia cells and minimise relapse through antigen escape.
Professor Dario Campana, Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, is a pioneer in CAR T-cell development and one of the earliest contributors of successful clinical applications in ALL. His work has shaped the global CAR T-cell landscape, driving major advances in immunotherapy science.
In Singapore, Prof Campana continues to lead cutting-edge translational research, accelerating progress from laboratory breakthroughs to clinical treatments that bring renewed hope to patients with high-risk leukaemia.
We bring together an integrated team of paediatric and adult oncologists, scientists, ICU specialists, pharmacists, apheresis and transplant experts to deliver seamless, cutting-edge care at every stage of the patient journey.
We pioneered the development and clinical application of a fratricide-resistant CD7 CAR-T therapy, offering hope to T-ALL patients who have exhausted all conventional treatment options. Its effectiveness was demonstrated in a study published in the prestigious medical journal Nature Medicine on 3 September 2024. Dr Bernice Oh, Consultant, Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, KTP-NUCMI and Dr Esther Chan, Senior Consultant, Division of Haematology, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS, led the clinical application with Prof Yeoh.
This treatment was first administered in 2019 to Viet Tai, a 10-year-old Vietnamese boy whose cancer had not responded to chemotherapy or second-line treatments. After extensive deliberation by NUH’s ethics board, and with informed agreement from his parents and Professor Yeoh, the experimental therapy was offered as a last resort. Within a month, he went from being critically ill to cancer-free to this day.NUH Medical Centre
Level 9, 9a Viva-University Children’s Cancer Centre
