Alexey Bersenev, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Laboratory MedicineCards
About
Research
Publications
2026
Overcoming Five Main Challenges to Targeting Hematologic Malignancies
Thakkar M, Hanley P, Bersenev A, Steffin D. Overcoming Five Main Challenges to Targeting Hematologic Malignancies. Cytotherapy 2026, 102776. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2026.102776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChimeric antigen receptorHematologic malignanciesTreatment landscapeApplication of chimeric antigen receptorCAR-T cell productsT-cell therapyPlasma cell malignancyCAR-TT cellsAntigen receptorB cellsCell malignancyOptimal patient careMalignancyGoal of optimizing patient careCell productionAdverse effectsPatient careTherapyAntigenReceptorsEx vivo expansion of melanoma tumor infiltrating lymphocytes leads to a dominant exhausted T cell population with lack of memory markers.
Coppola G, Kerr S, Cha P, Bersenev A, Olino K, Kluger H, Sznol M, Weiss S, Bosenberg M, Kleinstein S, Krause D, Hurwitz M, Katz S. Ex vivo expansion of melanoma tumor infiltrating lymphocytes leads to a dominant exhausted T cell population with lack of memory markers. Cancer Immunology Research 2026, of1-of14. PMID: 41686210, PMCID: PMC13032746, DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-25-0798.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesMemory cell phenotypeEx vivo expansionInfiltrating lymphocytesEx vivoPatient tumorsT cellsEfficacy of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytesSubpopulations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytesMelanoma tumor-infiltrating lymphocytesTIL expansionCD8 T cellsCell phenotypeT cell populationsReceptor PD1Individual clonotypesDN cellsEx vivo growthPost-expansionTCR sequencesClinical trialsFDA approvalStem-likeCell differentiation stateTherapeutic effect
2025
Clinical Evidence of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Cerebral Palsy: Scoping Review with Meta-Analysis of Efficacy in Gross Motor Outcomes
Paton M, Griffin A, Blatch-Williams R, Webb A, Verter F, Couto P, Bersenev A, Dale R, Popat H, Novak I, Finch-Edmondson M. Clinical Evidence of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Cerebral Palsy: Scoping Review with Meta-Analysis of Efficacy in Gross Motor Outcomes. Cells 2025, 14: 700. PMID: 40422203, PMCID: PMC12110704, DOI: 10.3390/cells14100700.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGross Motor Function MeasureCerebral palsyIPD meta-analysisTreatment of cerebral palsyMeta-analysisMotor Function MeasureGross motor outcomesData Meta-AnalysisScoping ReviewWell-designed trialsStudy heterogeneityMeta-analysesEffect sizeMotor outcomeFunction measurementsParticipation variablesSubgroup analysisMeta-analysis of efficacyRegistered trialsPalsyOutcomesVariable reportingReports of efficacyTrialsPublished reportsNew frontiers for cell and gene therapy: addressing 2024 milestones and the outlook for 2025
Bersenev A, Salmon F, Dowd J, Bond C. New frontiers for cell and gene therapy: addressing 2024 milestones and the outlook for 2025. Cell And Gene Therapy Insights 2025, 11: 261-265. DOI: 10.18609/cgti.2025.030.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Core Needle Biopsies as an Alternative Source for Ex Vivo Expanded TIL for Adoptive Cell Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Coman M, Pusztai L, Hooley R, Andreveja L, Kim L, Joshi N, Bersenev A, Krause D, Park T. Core Needle Biopsies as an Alternative Source for Ex Vivo Expanded TIL for Adoptive Cell Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Journal Of Immunotherapy 2023, 47: 49-53. PMID: 37991241, DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesCore needle biopsyTriple-negative breast cancerNeedle biopsyBreast cancerEx vivoT-cell receptor clonalityUltrasound-guided core needle biopsyTriple negative breast cancer tumorsMorbidity of surgeryAdoptive cell therapyBreast cancer tumorsTIL generationAdoptive transferTIL culturesMultiple lesionsCytokine secretionMetastatic cancerSame patientTumor tissueCell therapyPatientsCancer tumorsCancerSurgery
2022
Emerging frontiers in immuno- and gene therapy for cancer
Gustafson MP, Ligon JA, Bersenev A, McCann CD, Shah NN, Hanley PJ. Emerging frontiers in immuno- and gene therapy for cancer. Cytotherapy 2022, 25: 20-32. PMID: 36280438, PMCID: PMC9790040, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.10.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA genome-scale gain-of-function CRISPR screen in CD8 T cells identifies proline metabolism as a means to enhance CAR-T therapy
Ye L, Park JJ, Peng L, Yang Q, Chow RD, Dong MB, Lam SZ, Guo J, Tang E, Zhang Y, Wang G, Dai X, Du Y, Kim HR, Cao H, Errami Y, Clark P, Bersenev A, Montgomery RR, Chen S. A genome-scale gain-of-function CRISPR screen in CD8 T cells identifies proline metabolism as a means to enhance CAR-T therapy. Cell Metabolism 2022, 34: 595-614.e14. PMID: 35276062, PMCID: PMC8986623, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.02.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCAR T cellsT cell-based immunotherapyRight molecular targetCell-based immunotherapyCAR-T therapyChimeric antigen receptorMultiple cancer modelsCAR-T efficacyFunction CRISPR screensCD8 TPrimary CD8Immune functionImmunological diseasesImmune boosterCancer modelAntigen receptorDistinct gene expressionMolecular targetsCRISPR activation screensMetabolic programsImmunological analysisTherapyCancerEfficacyActivation screens
2021
ISCT survey on hospital practices to support externally manufactured investigational cell-gene therapy products
Bersenev A, Gustafson MP, Hanley PJ. ISCT survey on hospital practices to support externally manufactured investigational cell-gene therapy products. Cytotherapy 2021, 24: 27-31. PMID: 34810083, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.09.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDelivering externally manufactured cell and gene therapy products to patients: perspectives from the academic center experience
Hanley PJ, Bersenev A, Gustafson MP. Delivering externally manufactured cell and gene therapy products to patients: perspectives from the academic center experience. Cytotherapy 2021, 24: 16-18. PMID: 34753676, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.09.010.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Expansion of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) in bioreactors using microcarriers: lessons learnt and what the future holds
Couto P, Rotondi M, Bersenev A, Hewitt C, Nienow A, Verter F, Rafiq Q. Expansion of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) in bioreactors using microcarriers: lessons learnt and what the future holds. Biotechnology Advances 2020, 45: 107636. PMID: 32980437, DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107636.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman mesenchymal stem/stromal cellsGene therapy applicationsManufacturing processMesenchymal stem/stromal cellsStem/stromal cellsCurrent engineering challengesTherapy applicationsImproved process monitoringMulti-differentiation capabilitiesProcess efficiencyEngineering challengesMicrocarriersProcess monitoringProcess variabilityBioreactorHuman operationProduction costsPotential future areasGood consistencyCartilage repairFinal productAffordable priceCellular interventionsRelevant scalesCell quality
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Alexey Bersenev, MD, PhD, is a laboratory medicine specialist who focuses on cellular and cell-gene therapies. These therapies use living cells to help treat or manage certain conditions and may combine cell therapy with gene therapy approaches that can modify how the cells function. He collaborates with clinical teams to develop and manufacture investigational cell products for clinical trials, aiming to expand treatment possibilities.
As an assistant professor of laboratory medicine at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Bersenev studies advanced cell processing methods and works on the regulatory steps needed to bring these therapies from the laboratory into patient care.
Educated in Russia, Dr. Bersenev received his medical training from Izhevsk State Medical Academy and completed doctoral studies at the Institute of Transplantology and Artificial Organs.
Clinical Specialties
Laboratory Medicine