Sabine Heitzeneder

Biography
Sabine Heitzeneder, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in Hematology and Oncology at Stanford University and a physician-scientist developing cellular immunotherapies for childhood cancers. Her laboratory focuses on identifying tumor-restricted antigens and translating those discoveries into engineered T-cell therapies that can be tested clinically. A major emphasis is overcoming the challenges posed by pediatric solid tumors and brain tumors, where target selection, antigen heterogeneity, and the tumor microenvironment can limit the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. Heitzeneder and colleagues have advanced work targeting GPC2 and other pediatric cancer antigens, including preclinical strategies designed to improve the potency and specificity of adoptive cell therapies. Her research bridges molecular target discovery, antibody and receptor engineering, disease modeling, and translational development. The goal is to create therapies with sufficient selectivity and activity for early-phase clinical testing while reducing damage to normal tissues, expanding the reach of cellular immunotherapy beyond hematologic malignancies.