Paul Castillo

Paul Castillo, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Department: MD-PEDS-HEMATOLOGY
Business Phone: (352) 273-9120
Business Email: castillopa@ufl.edu

About Paul Castillo

Paul Castillo, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and physician-scientist of the T Cell Engineering Laboratory of the Pediatric Cancer Immunotherapy Initiative (PCI2) and the Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program (BTIP) at the University of Florida (UF). He serves as a member of the UF Data Integrity and Safety Committee (DISC), UF College of Medicine Scientific Review Committee, and as liaison of the UF Health Cancer Center Community Outreach Engagement Council.

He received his medical degree from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. He completed his pediatric residency at the Riley Hospital for Children – Indiana University. Next, he trained in hematology-oncology with additional focus on stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy at the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers – Center for Cell & Gene Therapy – Baylor College of Medicine. At the University of Florida, his translational efforts are focused on developing new pipeline technologies that include systemic activation of innate and adaptive immunity to synergize and enhance CAR T cell activity against metastatic osteosarcoma. His research has received multiple awards including the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Young Investigator award, the American Brain Tumor Association Discovery award, the Florida Department of Health Live Like Bella Discovery award, the Gabrielle’s Angel Cancer Research Foundation award, and an institutional KL2 award. His research endeavors are additionally supported by the STOP Children’s Cancer, Inc.

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2018
MDC7400 Pediatric Clerkship
2021-2024
GMS6065 Fundamentals of Cancer Biology

Board Certifications

  • Pediatrics
    American Board of Pediatrics

Clinical Profile

Specialties
  • Pediatrics
Subspecialties
  • Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Areas of Interest
  • Bone marrow transplant

Research Profile

The research efforts of Dr. Castillo are supported by STOP Children’s Cancer.

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0002-2813-1729

Publications

2024
Expanded specific T cells to hypomutated regions of the SARS-CoV-2 using mRNA electroporated antigen-presenting cells.
Molecular therapy. Methods & clinical development. 32(1) [DOI] 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101192. [PMID] 38327807.
2024
mRNA-based precision targeting of neoantigens and tumor-associated antigens in malignant brain tumors.
Genome medicine. 16(1) [DOI] 10.1186/s13073-024-01281-z. [PMID] 38268001.
2024
Vaccines: a promising therapy for myelodysplastic syndrome.
Journal of hematology & oncology. 17(1) [DOI] 10.1186/s13045-023-01523-4. [PMID] 38191498.
2023
Bioconjugated liquid-like solid enhances characterization of solid tumor – chimeric antigen receptor T cell interactions
Acta Biomaterialia. 172:466-479 [DOI] 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.09.042.
2023
Bioconjugation of COL1 protein on liquid-like solid surfaces to study tumor invasion dynamics
Biointerphases. 18(2) [DOI] 10.1116/6.0002083. [PMID] 36898958.
2023
Correction to: Impact of pre-transplant induction and consolidation cycles on AML allogeneic transplant outcomes: a CIBMTR analysis in 3113AML patients
Leukemia. 37(5):1173-1173 [DOI] 10.1038/s41375-023-01814-2.
2023
Feasibility study of busulfan, fludarabine, and thiotepa conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stemcell transplantationfor children and young adults with nonmalignant disorders
Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 70(7) [DOI] 10.1002/pbc.30322.
2023
Impact of pre-transplant induction and consolidation cycles on AML allogeneic transplant outcomes: a CIBMTR analysis in 3113 AML patients
Leukemia. 37(5):1006-1017 [DOI] 10.1038/s41375-022-01738-3. [PMID] 36310182.
2022
CAR T Cell Locomotion in Solid Tumor Microenvironment
Cells. 11(12) [DOI] 10.3390/cells11121974. [PMID] 35741103.
2022
Correction to: An adapted European LeukemiaNet genetic risk stratification for acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. A CIBMTR analysis
Bone Marrow Transplantation. 57(5):852-852 [DOI] 10.1038/s41409-022-01625-6.
2022
Effects of immune checkpoint blockade on antigen-specific CD8+ T cells for use in adoptive cellular therapy.
Microbiology and immunology. 66(5):201-211 [DOI] 10.1111/1348-0421.12967. [PMID] 35150167.
2022
Evolution and Revolution of Imaging Technologies in Neurosurgery.
Neurologia medico-chirurgica. 62(12):542-551 [DOI] 10.2176/jns-nmc.2022-0116. [PMID] 36288973.
2021
An adapted European LeukemiaNet genetic risk stratification for acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. A CIBMTR analysis
Bone Marrow Transplantation. 56(12):3068-3077 [DOI] 10.1038/s41409-021-01450-3. [PMID] 34584240.
2021
Correction to: Impact of depth of clinical response on outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia patients in first complete remission who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Bone Marrow Transplantation. 56(9):2319-2319 [DOI] 10.1038/s41409-021-01353-3. [PMID] 34017072.
2021
Distinct genetic pathways define pre-malignant versus compensatory clonal hematopoiesis in Shwachman-Diamond syndrome
Nature Communications. 12(1) [DOI] 10.1038/s41467-021-21588-4. [PMID] 33637765.
2021
Impact of depth of clinical response on outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia patients in first complete remission who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Bone Marrow Transplantation. 56(9):2108-2117 [DOI] 10.1038/s41409-021-01261-6. [PMID] 33864019.
2021
Race as a factor in donor selection and survival of children with hematologic malignancies undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant in Florida
Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 68(10) [DOI] 10.1002/pbc.29180.
2019
A genomics-informed computational biology platform prospectively predicts treatment responses in AML and MDS patients.
Blood advances. 3(12):1837-1847 [DOI] 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018028316. [PMID] 31208955.
2019
Purtscher-like retinopathy: A rare presentation of hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy
Pediatric Transplantation. 23(2) [DOI] 10.1111/petr.13344.
2018
CD34+ chimerism analysis for minimal residual disease monitoring after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Leukemia research. 74:110-112 [DOI] 10.1016/j.leukres.2018.10.007. [PMID] 30401521.

Grants

Dec 2023 ACTIVE
Unlocking Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell Activity Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia Using RNA-nanoparticle Vaccination
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Jun 2023 ACTIVE
Utilization of Alpha/Beta T Cell and B Cell Depletion in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Malignant Diseases
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH LIVE LIKE BELLA
Mar 2023 ACTIVE
Global Registry for Long-Term Follow-up of Patients Participating in Clinical Trials with Posoleucel (ALVR105)
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: ICON CLINICAL RESEARCH INC via ALLOVIR
Sep 2022 ACTIVE
Overcoming Resistance of Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Enhancing CAR T Cell Activity Using Systemic Vaccination.
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: GABRIELLE'S ANGEL FDTN FOR CANCER RES
Aug 2022 – Jan 2024
Leveraging CD70 CXCR2-modified CAR T-cells for treating AML
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: SOC FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
Apr 2022 ACTIVE
Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, with Cross-Over, of Posoleucel (ALVR105) for the Treatment of Adenovirus Infection in Pediatric and Adult Participants Receiving Standard of Care Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: MEDPACE via ALLOVIR
Apr 2022 ACTIVE
Engineered Donor Graft for Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT) Recipients with Hematologic Malignancies (HM)- Florida Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Consortium (FPBCC) First Prospective Multicenter Trial
Role: Other
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH LIVE LIKE BELLA
Apr 2022 ACTIVE
Unlocking CAR T cell efficacy against osteosarcoma using adjuvant RNA vaccine
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH LIVE LIKE BELLA
Mar 2022 ACTIVE
Phase 2/3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of ALVR105 (Viralym-M) Compared to Placebo for the Prevention of AdV, BKV, CMV, EBV, HHV-6, and JCV Infection and/or Disease, in High-Risk Patients After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: ICON CLINICAL RESEARCH INC via ALLOVIR
Aug 2021 – Aug 2023
Targeting Primary CNS B cell Lymphoma Unique Antigens with Novel Immunotherapy
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: AMER BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION
Aug 2018 – Dec 2020
Enhancing T cell adoptive therapy against T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
May 2017 – Jan 2022
A Phase II, Open-label, Non-controlled, Intra-patient Dose-escalation Study to Characterize the Pharmacokinetics After Oral Administration of Eltrombopag in Pediatric Patients With Refractory, Relapsed or Treatment Naive Severe Aplastic Anemia or Recurrent Aplastic Anemia
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORP
Feb 2017 – Feb 2022
Pathogen Identification in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients with Suspected Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: CHILDRENS HOSP LOS ANGELES via NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID
Feb 2017 – Feb 2022
Pathogen Identification in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients with Suspected Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: CHILDRENS HOSP LOS ANGELES
Sep 2015 – Dec 2016
214 Fund Retrospective Study of Pediatric Aplastic Anemia
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: CHILDRENS HOSPITAL CORPORATION
Sep 2013 – Jun 2016
Minimizing Leukemia Relapse: A Phase I, Dose Escalation Study of Decitabine in High Risk Pediatric and Young Adult Leukemia Post Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS

Education

Fellowship – Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation
2015 · Texas Children's Hospital
Fellowship – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
2014 · Texas Children's Hospital
Residency – Pediatrics
2011 · Riley Hospital for Children
Medical Degree
2005 · Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 273-9120
Emails:
Business:
castillopa@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO BOX 100296
DEPT OF PEDIATRICS
GAINESVILLE FL 326100296
Business Street:
1600 SW ARCHER RD
GAINESVILLE FL 32610