Emily K. Phillips, MD

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that affects children and is treated with intense chemotherapy. Unfortunately, if this cancer recurs, it is difficult to treat with chemotherapy. More than half of children with recurrent AML die from the disease. Patients with recurrent AML are typically treated with immunotherapy, a type of treatment that leverages the body’s immune system to kill cancer. Phillips studies a type of natural killer cell called memory-like natural killer cells, which have an enhanced ability to kill AML. Her project aims to help memory-like natural killer cells better recognize AML cells by outfitting them with one of two receptors, chimeric antigen receptors or natural killer cell engagers, to target common markers on the surface of AML cells. She hopes one or both methods can be translated into a clinical trial to treat children with chemotherapy-resistant AML. Phillips received her MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin and her BS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.