Cellular Therapy Working Group
Prof. Marc Ansari, Geneve
Chair
Prof. Dr. med. Tayfun Güngör, Zurich
Chair
Dr. med. Tamara Diesch, Basel
Vice Chair
Background
The Cellular Therapy Working Group (CTWG) is a formal working group within the Swiss Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (SSPHO). The group represents members involved in the field of cellular therapies (CT) e.g., autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, CAR-T cell therapy and gene therapy in the Swiss paediatric haematology-oncology community.
Aims
We aim to facilitate involvement and exchange in clinical, research, and educational activities as well as to become a driving force and platform for new ideas in the field of cellular therapies. Specifically, we aim to:
Harmonize supportive care through standardization of SOPs concerning for example PK measuring, immunosuppression, FN, infection treatment, VOD, TMA, GHVD-treatment, vaccinations, follow up of late effects, and COVID.
Harmonize cell collection e.g., the number of necessary cells.
Harmonize early and late effects of monitoring and treatment through knowledge transfer to improve outcomes.
Represent a working platform for pediatric CT in Switzerland with the potential to bringing in innovative ideas in national committees and promoting studies.
Network and improve cooperation between Swiss pediatric centers for CT.
Build a research platform especially for Young Investigators, for exchange on research activities and setup of new collaborations.
Teach workshops and hold a annual or biannual meetings with a specific topic to expand horizons.
Be a platform for the discussion of difficult cases e.g., graft failure, missing donors, and conditioning regimes.
Recent Milestones
The Cellular Therapy Working Group, founded in 2021, is chaired by Prof. T. Güngör (Kispi ZH) with Dr. T. Diesch-Furlanetto (UKBB) serving as vice-chair. The group’s mission is to standardize supportive care and cell collection procedures, ensure representation in key national and international committees, establish a collaborative research platform, and organize an annual meeting to foster knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Comprising 20 members from six Swiss centers, the working group reflects a strong national collaboration in cellular therapy. In 2025, the group convened two virtual meetings and successfully organized its annual meeting in Geneva for the fifth consecutive year. This year’s session focused on “Sickle Cell Disease and the Best Donor” and attracted more many participants.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for antifungal prophylaxis and treatment was developed, underscoring the group’s commitment to improving infection management in cellular therapy. Difficult and complex cases were also discussed during the meetings, providing valuable opportunities for shared learning and clinical decision-making.
On the research front, FORUM 2 received approval from CITIS, with preparations underway for its launch in Switzerland in 2026.
In addition, members of the group delivered oral presentations at ASH, EBMT, and ESPT meetings, presenting results from the FORUM 1 study and the Myechild project.
Details
Mai 2025 «Sickle Cell Disease Meeting in Geneva» (Organizers: Ansari, Chavaz; intern. SCD experts)Treatment algorithm (not yet approved)
Haplo SCT ptCY Drephaplo, Ongoing(Ansari, Chalandon)
Exagamglogen-Autotemcel (Exa-Cel, Vertex) Swissmedic Approval (Güngör, Ansari) Zurich/Geneva treatment centers
Haplo SCT Regensburg Protocol SCD Ethical Approval Zürich/Basel (Güngör, Diesch, Hauri-Hohl) N=2 pat. from UKBB enrolled
Leukemia SCT Studies
FORUM 1 (Güngör, Ansari, Diesch) Continues until 2026
FORUM 2 (Ansari, Zeilhofer, Diesch) Is prepared for 2026
SCRIPT AML (Ansari, Güngör) Has started
BuGenes Study (Multcenter Study) (Ansari Marc) Continues
Inborn Errors Working Party EBMT
Was held in Freiburg/Germany Zürich will host 25-27th Sept/2026
(Zürich, CHUV, Geneva, Basel)
p47 CGD Gentherapy phase 1/2 trial Will start in March 2026
(Güngör, Reichenbach, Hauri-Hohl)
Responsibilities
Group Responsibilities:
In order to address issues related to pediatric cellular therapies, the CTWG is able to propose new initiatives to the SSPHO Board. Equally, the SSPHO Board has the opportunity to approach the CTWG in case they need input from members for specific projects/studies. The CTWG needs approval by the SSPHO board for new initiatives/projects.
Chair/Vice-Chair responsibilities:
The Chairs have a representative and administrative position in the group, They will be the coordinators of the group activities. Group decisions are passed by the Chairs and Vice-Chair.
Member responsibilities:
Decisions concerning changes of the terms of references are based on a qualified majority vote of all CTWG members. All members of the Steering Committee should be actively involved in the projects run by CTWG.
