Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy

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:

• B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL): While frontline therapy can achieve cure rates of up to 80–90 per cent, outcomes decline sharply after relapse. Children and young adults who experience multiple relapses, or whose leukaemia doesn't respond to initial treatment, face survival rates below 20–30 per cent, even with chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.
• T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL): This subtype presents a poorer prognosis. While standard treatments are effective for around 80 per cent of patients, those with high-risk who fail initial therapy or relapse after transplant often have only a 5–10 per cent chance of long-term survival.

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:

• Children, adolescents, and adults with relapsed or refractory B-ALL and T-ALL, with treatment approaches tailored to individual eligibility and clinical needs
• Regional referrals seeking access to cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapies not available in their home countries

Leukaemia clinical leadership

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:

• Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS)
• Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Viva-Goh Foundation Professor in Paediatric Oncology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS
  

Global leadership in flow cytometry

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.

A legacy of CAR T-cell therapy innovation

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.

Deliver multidisciplinary care

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.

World’s first CD7 CAR-T therapy

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.

• New treatment offers hope for T-cell leukaemia that does not respond to conventional therapies
• British boy who left Singapore a year ago after life-saving treatment is still cancer-free
• 'Gave me a second life': How Singapore doctors saved this boy from rare cancer with experimental treatment
• Singapore doctors develop new cell therapy that saved patients from treatment-resistant cancer
• This Rare Cancer Survival Story Offers Hope to Families in Singapore

NUH Medical Centre
Level 9, 9a Viva-University Children’s Cancer Centre

Opening hours

Contact us