Dr. Renier Brentjens

Dr. Renier J. Brentjens, MD, PhD, is a pioneering medical oncologist and global leader in cellular immunotherapy, specializing in the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies. He serves as Deputy Director and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he also holds the Katherine Anne Gioia Endowed Chair in Cancer Medicine. Dr. Brentjens earned his MD and PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from SUNY Buffalo, completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and pursued fellowship training in Hematology and Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology and is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing CAR T-cell therapy from bench to bedside.

A pioneer in the field of adoptive T-cell therapy, Dr. Brentjens was among the first to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of CD19-targeted CAR T-cells in patients with relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His research has been instrumental in developing armored CAR T-cells designed to overcome immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and extend CAR technology to a broader range of hematologic and solid tumors. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications and has led numerous clinical trials that have redefined treatment paradigms for B-cell malignancies.

In addition to his research and clinical leadership, Dr. Brentjens is a dedicated mentor and national thought leader in immunotherapy. He has trained a generation of physician-scientists and continues to shape institutional and industry efforts in cellular therapy innovation. He serves on advisory boards for national research consortia and has been recognized with numerous honors for his contributions to translational oncology, including the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize. Through his dedication to scientific innovation, clinical excellence, and mentorship, Dr. Renier J. Brentjens continues to transform the landscape of cancer immunotherapy and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.