A renowned cancer immunology expert, Dr. Melenhorst leads the cell therapy developmental therapeutics program, with a focus on translating research into novel cellular therapies for patients. As Vice Chair of the Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology, he works with experts from across Cleveland Clinic to advance research and treatment related to the rapidly growing field of immuno-oncology. The program will empower clinicians and scientists to advance personalized cellular immunotherapy and further distinguish the Cleveland area as a top hub for cellular therapy development.
Dr. Melenhorst joins Cleveland Clinic from University of Pennsylvania where he was a senior member of Dr. Carl June's Center for Cellular Immunotherapies for almost a decade. There, he was instrumental in helping bring cell therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy into patient care. CAR-T therapy has revolutionized cancer care. His research spans basic and translational immunology with an emphasis on developing next generation immune-oncology treatments and related translational sciences. His efforts also focus on the immunobiology of CAR-T cell therapies to more safely and effectively target cancers.
Dr. Melenhorst received his PhD from Leiden University, Netherlands.