Stem cell transplants have proven to be a revolutionary form of treatment providing hope and brighter futures for countless cancer patients. Endeavor Health was an early adopter of this transformative care, its Hematopoietic Stem Cell Program long accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).
Stem cell transplants help restore blood stem cells in patients whose own blood cells have been destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy cancer treatments. Stem cells have the ability to regenerate and grow into white blood cells (which are critical to the immune system), red blood cells (which transport oxygen through the body), and platelets (which help blood clot and prevent bleeding). This strategy has enabled the delivery of powerful chemotherapy to achieve deeper remissions in patients with multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas.
Today, the most exciting advances in cellular therapies include CAR T-cell treatment for lymphoma and multiple myeloma patients, explained Endeavor Health hematologist-oncologist Amy Wang, MD, MPH. While initially it was only available at large academic medical centers, CAR T-cell treatment is becoming more readily available — and Endeavor Health had one of the first non-university-based programs in the state.
The pioneering FDA-approved therapy is now the best option for patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma, said Dr. Wang, who is anticipating more CAR T-cell products to be available soon at Endeavor Health for patients with other cancers including certain leukemias.
CAR T-cell therapy involves chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) genetically modified T-cells (a type of immune cell) that are designed to recognize and activate specific tumor cell molecules to destroy malignant cells. Patients’ own immune cells are collected in a process similar to dialysis, engineered to fight the cancer cells, and then given back to the patient in this advanced, highly anticipated therapy.
Patients can experience an array of side effects with both stem cell transplants and CAR-T cell therapy, but comprehensive supportive care help make the treatment easier to tolerate.
“These patients have a village with nurse practitioners, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians and a whole team to ensure that they are as strong as possible going into the procedure and that they receive robust supportive care throughout the process,” said Dr. Wang.
Improvements in supportive care have helped decrease the length of hospital stay for our patients, she added.
New cellular therapies like CAR T-cell and bispecific antibodies (artificial proteins that can bind to two different antigens to help fight cancers) are literally changing the field of cancer care.
“Therapies like CAR T are offering a real chance not only for a cure, but new hope for patients dealing with very serious life-threatening cancer,” said Dr. Wang. “We’re now able to offer effective care for patients who would not have had any treatment options even five years ago. It’s very exciting and very gratifying.”
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