The Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute is a combined laboratory and clinical research unit devoted to the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies and their translation to the treatment of patients with cancer. Efforts run the gamut from basic studies of cancer immunology to the conduct of clinical immunotherapy trials for patients with metastatic cancer. The Surgery Branch was responsible for the development of interleukin-2 (IL-2), the first effective immunotherapy in humans, the development of cell transfer immunotherapies for melanoma and other solid cancers, the first insertion of foreign genes into humans and the first development of effective human cancer immunotherapies based on the genetic engineering of autologous lymphocytes with genes encoding anti-tumor T cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors.
Examples of current laboratory research involve the identification of the optimal properties of lymphocytes capable of mediating anti-tumor effects in experimental models and in the human and the development of immunotherapies based on the identification of unique exomic mutations expressed by cancers that can be targeted by cell transfer therapy. Extensive programs are in place for the genetic modification of lymphocytes to target cancer-testis antigens. The Surgery Branch offers postdoctoral fellowships in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Clinical fellowships are available to surgical residents who have completed at least two years of residency and are interested in a combined program of laboratory and clinical research in immunotherapy.
Interested in Our Clinical Trials?
Patients interested in our clinical trials should visit Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
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A Phase I/II Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of a messenger RNA (mRNA)-based, Personalized Cancer Vaccine Against Neoantigens Expressed by the Autologous Cancer
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-18-C-0074Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study Using the Administration of Autologous T-Cells Genetically Engineered to Express T-Cell Receptors Reactive Against Mutated Neoantigens in Patients with Metastatic Cancer
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-18-C-0049Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Ability of a Dendritic Cell Vaccine to Immunize Melanoma or Epithelial Cancer Patients Against Defined Mutated Neoantigens Expressed by the Autologous Cancer
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-17-C-0177Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Phase I/II Study Administering Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Transduced with a Murine T-Cell Receptor Recognizing the G12V Variant of Mutated RAS in HLA-A*1101 Patients
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-17-C-0113Investigator James C. Yang, M.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Phase I/II Study Administering Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Transduced with a CD70-Binding Chimeric Antigen Receptor to Patients with CD70-Expressing Cancers
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-16-C-0131Investigator James C. Yang, M.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Prospective Randomized and Phase II Trial for Metastatic Melanoma Using Adoptive Cell Therapy with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Plus IL-2 Either Alone or Following the Administration of Pembrolizumab
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-16-C-0027Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study Using Autologous Young Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) Derived from Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Non-Myeloablative Lymphocyte Depleting Preparative Regimen
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-14-C-0104Investigator James C. Yang, M.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase I/II Study of the Treatment of Metastatic Cancer that Expresses MAGE-A3 Using Lymphodepleting Conditioning Followed by Infusion of HLA-DP0401/0402 Restricted Anti-MAGE-A3 TCR-Gene Engineered Lymphocytes and Aldesleukin
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-14-C-0052Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study for Metastatic Melanoma using High Dose Chemotherapy Preparative Regimen followed by Cell Transfer Therapy Using Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes Plus IL-2 with the Administration of Pembrolizumab in the Retreatment Arm
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-14-C-0022Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study of Metastatic Cancer that Expresses NY-ESO-1 Using Lymphodepleting Conditioning Followed by Infusion of Anti-NY ESO-1 Murine TCR-Gene Engineered Lymphocytes
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-13-C-0214Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase I/II Study of Metastatic Cancer Using Lymphodepleting Conditioning Followed by Infusion of Anti-mesothelin Gene Engineered Lymphocytes#xD;
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-12-C-0111Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase I/II Study of the Safety and Feasibility of Administering T-Cells Expressing Anti-EGFRvIII Chimeric Antigen Receptor to Patients with Malignant Gliomas Expressing EGFRvIII#xD;
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-11-C-0266Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study Using Short-Term Cultured, Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Following a Lymphocyte Depleting Regimen in Metastatic Cancers Plus the Administration of Pembrolizumab at Time of Progression
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-10-C-0166Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Follow up Protocol for Subjects Previously Enrolled in NCI Surgery Branch Studies
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-09-C-0161Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Characterization of High-Risk Breast Duct Epithelium by Cytology, Breast Duct Endoscopy, and cDNA Gene Expression Profile
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-02-C-0077Investigator David N. Danforth Jr., M.S., M.D. -
Evaluation for NCI Surgery Branch Clinical Research Protocols
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-99-C-0128Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505
There are no Open Positions at this time, check back again later.
About
The Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute is a combined laboratory and clinical research unit devoted to the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies and their translation to the treatment of patients with cancer. Efforts run the gamut from basic studies of cancer immunology to the conduct of clinical immunotherapy trials for patients with metastatic cancer. The Surgery Branch was responsible for the development of interleukin-2 (IL-2), the first effective immunotherapy in humans, the development of cell transfer immunotherapies for melanoma and other solid cancers, the first insertion of foreign genes into humans and the first development of effective human cancer immunotherapies based on the genetic engineering of autologous lymphocytes with genes encoding anti-tumor T cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors.
Examples of current laboratory research involve the identification of the optimal properties of lymphocytes capable of mediating anti-tumor effects in experimental models and in the human and the development of immunotherapies based on the identification of unique exomic mutations expressed by cancers that can be targeted by cell transfer therapy. Extensive programs are in place for the genetic modification of lymphocytes to target cancer-testis antigens. The Surgery Branch offers postdoctoral fellowships in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Clinical fellowships are available to surgical residents who have completed at least two years of residency and are interested in a combined program of laboratory and clinical research in immunotherapy.
Interested in Our Clinical Trials?
Patients interested in our clinical trials should visit Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
Clinical Trials
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A Phase I/II Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of a messenger RNA (mRNA)-based, Personalized Cancer Vaccine Against Neoantigens Expressed by the Autologous Cancer
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-18-C-0074Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study Using the Administration of Autologous T-Cells Genetically Engineered to Express T-Cell Receptors Reactive Against Mutated Neoantigens in Patients with Metastatic Cancer
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-18-C-0049Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Ability of a Dendritic Cell Vaccine to Immunize Melanoma or Epithelial Cancer Patients Against Defined Mutated Neoantigens Expressed by the Autologous Cancer
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-17-C-0177Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Phase I/II Study Administering Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Transduced with a Murine T-Cell Receptor Recognizing the G12V Variant of Mutated RAS in HLA-A*1101 Patients
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-17-C-0113Investigator James C. Yang, M.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Phase I/II Study Administering Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Transduced with a CD70-Binding Chimeric Antigen Receptor to Patients with CD70-Expressing Cancers
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-16-C-0131Investigator James C. Yang, M.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Prospective Randomized and Phase II Trial for Metastatic Melanoma Using Adoptive Cell Therapy with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Plus IL-2 Either Alone or Following the Administration of Pembrolizumab
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-16-C-0027Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study Using Autologous Young Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) Derived from Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Non-Myeloablative Lymphocyte Depleting Preparative Regimen
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-14-C-0104Investigator James C. Yang, M.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase I/II Study of the Treatment of Metastatic Cancer that Expresses MAGE-A3 Using Lymphodepleting Conditioning Followed by Infusion of HLA-DP0401/0402 Restricted Anti-MAGE-A3 TCR-Gene Engineered Lymphocytes and Aldesleukin
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-14-C-0052Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study for Metastatic Melanoma using High Dose Chemotherapy Preparative Regimen followed by Cell Transfer Therapy Using Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes Plus IL-2 with the Administration of Pembrolizumab in the Retreatment Arm
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-14-C-0022Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study of Metastatic Cancer that Expresses NY-ESO-1 Using Lymphodepleting Conditioning Followed by Infusion of Anti-NY ESO-1 Murine TCR-Gene Engineered Lymphocytes
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-13-C-0214Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase I/II Study of Metastatic Cancer Using Lymphodepleting Conditioning Followed by Infusion of Anti-mesothelin Gene Engineered Lymphocytes#xD;
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-12-C-0111Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase I/II Study of the Safety and Feasibility of Administering T-Cells Expressing Anti-EGFRvIII Chimeric Antigen Receptor to Patients with Malignant Gliomas Expressing EGFRvIII#xD;
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-11-C-0266Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
A Phase II Study Using Short-Term Cultured, Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Following a Lymphocyte Depleting Regimen in Metastatic Cancers Plus the Administration of Pembrolizumab at Time of Progression
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-10-C-0166Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Follow up Protocol for Subjects Previously Enrolled in NCI Surgery Branch Studies
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-09-C-0161Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505 -
Characterization of High-Risk Breast Duct Epithelium by Cytology, Breast Duct Endoscopy, and cDNA Gene Expression Profile
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-02-C-0077Investigator David N. Danforth Jr., M.S., M.D. -
Evaluation for NCI Surgery Branch Clinical Research Protocols
Open - RecruitingNCI Protocol ID NCI-99-C-0128Investigator Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.Share this trial: Referral ContactsContact Name Phone Number Immunotherapy Recruitment Center 866-820-4505
PI & Key Staff
Positions
There are no Open Positions at this time, check back again later.
Contact Info
Center for Cancer Research
National Cancer Institute
Building 10, Room 3-3940
Bethesda, MD 20892-1201
Ph: 240-858-3080