Nicholas A Vitanza, MD

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Accepting New Patients
Nicholas A Vitanza, MD

Specialties

  • Children's Title: Attending Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist, Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
  • Academic Title: Associate Professor, Hematology/Oncology
  • Research Title: Principal Investigator, Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research
  • Research Center: Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research
  • On Staff Since: August 2016
"My goal is to find safer and more effective therapies for children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors (meaning, tumors of the brain and spine). As a pediatric neuro-oncologist, translational scientist, Scientific Director of the Brain Tumor Research Program, and the CNS CAR T cell Lead, I am fortunate to span the intersection where laboratory science translates into new clinical trials. Our work has helped advance epigenetically-targeted drugs and targeted immunotherapies – such as CAR T cells – to the clinic for patients with fatal tumors such as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), diffuse midline glioma (DMG), and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). Overseeing our multiple open CNS CAR T cell trials has allowed me to connect with in need families from all over the world and our pledge is to provide expert, compassionate care to each child we meet."

  • Biography

    Dr. Nick Vitanza is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington and a physician-scientist supported by an NIH Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT)(R37) Award. He completed his pediatric oncology fellowship at New York University, followed by a pediatric neuro-oncology fellowship and postdoctoral research at Stanford University. At Seattle Children’s, he is a pediatric neuro-oncologist, the Scientific Director of the Brain Tumor Research Program, and the CNS CAR T cell Lead. Clinically, he has designed multiple intracranially-dosed first-in-human trials delivering HER2-, EGFR-, B7-H3-, and multi-antigen-targeting CAR T cells to children with CNS tumors. In the Lab, he studies aggressive pediatric brain tumors such as DIPG/DMG with a focus on translating discoveries to clinical trials. His team has developed CNS cancer models, identified epigenetic and immunologic cancer vulnerabilities, and engineered cellular therapeutics such as chemotactically-enhanced B7-H3 CAR T cells. His findings have been published in Cancer Cell, Cancer Discovery, Nature Communications, and Nature Medicine. A strong advocate for swift and transparent collaboration, Dr. Vitanza leads international efforts dedicated to curing pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors and participated in the White House’s Cancer Moonshot Brain Cancers Forum.

    Board Certification(s)

    Pediatrics
    Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

    Education

    American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy
    New York University, New York, New York

    Residency

    State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY

    Fellowship

    Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital-Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
    New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
    NYU Langone Hospital, New York, NY
    Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA

    Clinical Interests

    Brain and spinal cord tumors of childhood; diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG); diffuse midline glioma (DMG); CAR T cell immunotherapy; early phase clinical trials

    Research Description

    My laboratory focuses on developing CNS cancer models, identifying epigenetic and immunologic cancer vulnerabilities, and engineering cellular therapeutics against pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors, particularly diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), diffuse midline glioma (DMG), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), and medulloblastoma.

    Research Focus Area

    DIPG, DMG, ATRT, CAR T cell therapy, epigenetics, early phase clinical trials

  • Related Resources

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  • Awards and Honors

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  • Publications

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Contact Information

Primary Office

Seattle Children's - Vitanza Lab
1900 9th Ave
JMB 8.28
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206-884-4084

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