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Cancer and Hematology Center
Histiocytosis Program
Lymphoma Program
Precision Oncology Consultation Service
Global Hematology Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE)
Texas Medical Center
ceallen@texaschildrens.org
Address
1102 Bates Ave., Ste. 750
Houston, TX 77030
Research Laboratory
Carl E. Allen, MD, PhD
Milton and Allene Nirken Chair in Pediatric Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital
Co-Director, Histiocytosis Program
Co-Director, Lymphoma Program
Director of Research, Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE)
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine
Education
School | Education | Degree | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Baylor College of Medicine | Fellowship | Pediatric Hematology/Oncology | 2008 |
Columbus Children's Hospital - Heart Center | Residency | Pediatrics | 2005 |
Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health | Medical School | Doctor of Medicine | 2002 |
Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health | University | Doctor of Philosophy | 2002 |
About
Dr. Carl Allen is the Milton and Allene Nirken Chair in Pediatric Oncology at Texas Children's Hospital and co-director of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center Histiocytosis and Lymphoma Programs, where he leads a team of over 30 clinicians and scientists dedicated to improving the outcomes of children and adults with histiocytic disorders, lymphoma and lymphoproliferative disorders.
After completing his MD and PhD at Ohio State University College of Medicine in 2002, Dr. Allen went on to a pediatrics residency at Columbus Children’s Hospital. He completed his fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. It was during this fellowship at Texas Children’s that Dr. Allen developed his clinical and research interests in rare pediatric blood disorders. The Histiocytosis Program is dedicated to care of patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and the more rare histiocytic disorders (Rosai-Dorfman disease, Erdheim Chester disease, juvenile xanthogranuloma). The Fayez Sarofim Lymphoma Program is dedicated to care of children with lymphoma and lymphoproliferative disorders. Together with Dr. Forbes (Allergy and Immunology Division), Dr. Allen has created the Immune Dysregulation and Lymphoproliferation (iLEAD) clinic with focus on the unmet needs of children with complex hematologic and immunologic disorders. At the Histiocytosis and Lymphoma Programs, rare blood disorders are not rare. In addition to serving the greater Houston community, these teams care for patients from around Texas and around the world.
Dr. Allen holds leadership positions in the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Histiocyte Society, the American Society for Hematology and the Children’s Oncology Group. He is co-founder and co-director of the North American Consortium for Histiocytosis (NACHO). Most recently, he was appointed to lead the Research Division for Texas Children’s Global Hematology and Oncology Pediatric Excellence program, which is developing pediatric hematology and oncology services with partners in Uganda, Malawi and Botswana.
His clinical special interests include: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), lymphoma, lymphoproliferative disorders, stem cell transplantation and global pediatric hematology and oncology.
Organizations
Organization Name | Role |
---|---|
American Society for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) | Member |
American Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) | Member |
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) | Member |
American Society of Hematology (ASH) | Member |
Children’s Oncology Group (COG) | Associate Director of Research |
Histiocyte Society | Steering Committee |
Nikolas Symposium | Steering Committee |
North American Consortium for Histiocytosis | Co-PI |
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology | Editor-in-Chief |
Research Statement
Dr. Carl Allen is an associate professor of pediatric hematology-oncology. He is co-director of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center Histiocytosis and Lymphoma Programs with clinical and research focus is on understanding aberrant immune function in human disease, including histiocytic disorders, lymphoproliferative disorders and lymphomas.
The goal of his research is to improve outcomes for patients, with projects ranging from discovery of basic mechanisms of pathogenesis through implementation of multi-institutional clinical research trials.
As Director of Research for Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE), Dr. Allen is working with the Global HOPE team to create research infrastructure for translational research and ultimately clinical trials at Centers of Excellence in Botswana, Uganda, and Malawi.
Research interests
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH)
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
Lymphoma
Tumor immunology
Lymphocyte development
Dendritic cell biology
Selected Publications
Awards & Honors
2008 John Pritchard Fellowship, 18th Nikolas Symposium
2009 Scholar Award, Junior Faculty, Basic Research, American Society of Hematology (ASH)
2010 Young Investigator Award, American Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ASPHO)
2013 Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Award, Baylor College of Medicine
2014 “First” Prize for Research Faculty, Baylor College of Medicine
2018 Early Career Award, Ohio State University College of Medicine Alumni Association
2018 Elected to the American Pediatric Society
2018 Nesbit Lecturer, University of Minnesota
2019 Michael E. DeBakey MD Award for Excellence in Research, Baylor College of Medicine
Board Certification
Language
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Histiocytosis: A Comprehensive Overview with Texas Children’s Cancer Center

Q&A: What is histiocytosis?

* Texas Children's Hospital physicians' licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician's office and were not verified by Texas Children's Hospital.