Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

Expert Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program

The Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program is one of the largest and most established in Illinois. Since our first transplant in 1986, our physicians have performed more than three thousand transplants.

Loyola Medicine has been recognized as a National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)/Be The Match transplant and collection center since December 1996. As a designated center of excellence, Loyola’s program has held FACT accreditation since 2002; this prestigious accreditation ensures the highest standards of patient care.

Our interdisciplinary team of doctors is dedicated to research and improvement of the transplant process. The program offers a comprehensive range of treatments, such as autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants and the recent addition of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies, as well as a variety of clinical trials. We offer all standard of care cellular therapies across all diseases indications, including:

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Amyloidosis
• Multiple Myeloma
• Hodgkins lymphoma
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Myeloproliferative neoplasms such as Myelofibrosis
• Non-hodgkins lymphoma

Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials

We are proud to offer both newly diagnosed and relapsed patients the opportunities to participate in clinical trials to potentially improve upon current outcomes and expectations. We are the only core member of the Blood & Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) in Illinois, giving patients unique opportunities in the Chicagoland area. It is through these efforts that we have been able to consistently improve patient outcomes and survival rates.

Clinical Trial Saves Leukemia Patient

What is Cellular Therapy?

Cellular therapy refers to a variety of different treatments that harness the immune system to fight cancer. Originally, this was referred to as a "bone marrow transplant" or a "stem cell transplant" but has now expanded to also include CAR-T therapy.

Bone marrow is found in the center cavities of all bones and within the ends of the long bones of your arms and legs. It is composed of stem cells that give origin to:

• Red cells (RBC) or erythrocytes that are responsible for carrying oxygen to all body tissues and organ
• White cells (WBC) or leukocytes that kill germs that can cause infection
• Platelets which are responsible for clotting and preventing excessive bleeding

Stem cells multiply, divide and mature in the bone marrow. They are released into the bloodstream as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Types of Cellular Therapy

Cellular therapy is most commonly used to treat lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. However, this treatment option can also be used to treat other cancers such as neuroblastoma, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, and rarely auto-immune diseases.

Your specific diagnosis will determine the type of cellular therapy that may benefit you. There are three types of cellular therapy:

Multidisciplinary Transplant Care

Our experienced, interdisciplinary transplant team - comprising experts from multiple specialties - provides coordinated, compassionate care tailored to each patient’s needs. Our clinical team includes:

What to Expect During a Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant

A bone marrow or stem cell transplant involves three key phases of treatment.

1. Preparation: To start, your doctors will prepare your body for transplant by using chemotherapy and or radiation to eliminate the existing unhealthy cells and prepare your bone marrow for the new stem cells. For CAR-T therapy, this is done to "calm" your immune system so it accepts the new CAR-T cells and allows them to fight the cancer.
2. Transplant: Once the preparation is complete, you will undergo the transplant, which is the infusion of your donor or your own stem cells (or CAR-T cells). This is infused very similarly to a blood transfusion.
3. Recovery: Following the transplant procedure, you will stay in the hospital while your body begins to produce healthy bone marrow and your doctors ensure that the transplant was successful. You are then discharged with close follow up in our outpatient transplant unit.

Integrated Fitness Support for Transplant Recovery

Transplant patients at Loyola Medicine have convenient access to the Loyola Center for Fitness, located on the Loyola University Medical Center campus. This proximity allows for seamless integration of fitness into post-transplant recovery and ongoing health maintenance.

The center offers a range of medically supervised programs tailored to individuals recovering from transplants. Notably, structured, eight-week programs are offered, designed to improve physical activity levels in individuals managing medical conditions, including those recovering from organ transplants. These programs require a physician referral and are guided by certified fitness specialists.

In addition to specialized programs, the facility features state-of-the-art equipment, group exercise classes, aquatic programs, and personal training services. The supportive environment and professional staff are dedicated to helping patients regain strength, enhance mobility, and improve overall well-being during their recovery journey.

Additional Resources

We encourage you to visit these websites to find out more:

1. Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Blood Cancer Leaders | LLS
2. National Marrow Donor Program: NMDP (Formerly Be The Match) Global Nonprofit in Cell Therapy | NMDP
3. National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute: Advancing Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Research & Innovation | NHLBI, NIH
4. National Cancer Institute (NCI): Comprehensive Cancer Information - NCI
5. Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network: Welcome | BMT CTN

Preparing for Your First Visit: Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplantation

Our interdisciplinary team of doctors is dedicated to research and improvement of the transplant process, thereby improving patient outcomes and survival rates. If you are in need of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, Loyola is able to provide the expertise and guidance you need, beginning with your very first visit.

If your evaluation at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center indicates that stem cell transplantation is an appropriate therapy for you, Loyola is committed to ensuring that you have the information you need throughout the transplant process. While every patient’s transplant differs depending on the diagnosis, the first visit for all patients has many similarities.

What to Bring

On the day of your first appointment, please arrive at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center about 45 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to register and complete the necessary paperwork. To help with your first appointment, we recommend the following visit checklist:

• Complete medical records* (including current blood work)
• Insurance card
• Pathology slides
• Scans
• X-rays

*In order to make the best treatment recommendation for you, it is critical that we have your medical records. Please obtain your records directly from your doctor or hospital and bring them with you on the day of your appointment.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

At the start of your visit, your Loyola doctor will review your personal medical records and health history and will perform a physical exam. Next, we will discuss your treatment options and determine whether a stem cell transplant procedure is the right cancer treatment option for you.

Your first visit will generally last two to three hours, and you will meet several members of our team. The healthcare providers caring for you throughout your treatment may include:

• An attending physician, with a specialty in hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation
• An advanced practice nurse
• A bone marrow transplant coordinator, who is a nurse specializing in transplantation
• A clinical psychologist
• A social worker
• Bone marrow transplant unit nurses
• High-dose therapy unit nurses

Our team members work together and consult frequently to ensure that you receive the best possible care. It is not unusual to feel overwhelmed by all the information you receive on the first visit, and we understand that you will have many questions about your treatment.

We encourage you to ask questions and get the information you require. If there are questions that we can answer once you leave the clinic, your transplant coordinator is always available by phone.