The Perentesis Research Lab
The Perentesis Research Lab at Cincinnati Children’s develops new approaches to treat cancer in children, adolescents and young adults. We connect laboratory discoveries with clinical research to improve cure rates, overcome treatment resistance and reduce complications that can affect survivors throughout life.
Our research focuses on discovering new targeted anticancer therapies and understanding why treatments work differently from one person to another. We study the biology of leukemia and other cancers alongside the inherited genetic differences that influence treatment response and side effects. These efforts support more individualized treatment, with particular interests in high-risk and relapsed leukemia (ALL and AML), Hodgkin lymphoma and the long-term health of cancer survivors.
Our collaborative research spans molecularly targeted drugs, pharmacogenomics and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in precision oncology. Through partnerships across Cincinnati Children’s and the University of Cincinnati, this work also connects with immune and cellular therapies and advanced proton radiation research. Dr. Perentesis leads Cincinnati’s proton FLASH program, including its pioneering clinical studies of radiation delivered at ultra-high dose rates.
John P. Perentesis, MD, FAAP, directs the Division of Oncology and serves as executive co-director of the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute at Cincinnati Children’s. He holds the Deb Kleisinger Endowed Chair and is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. His clinical and translational research focuses on bringing new treatments to patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. He has served in national leadership roles with the National Cancer Institute and the Children’s Oncology Group and mentors investigators pursuing careers in cancer research and developmental therapeutics.
