Transplant and Cellular Therapy at Levine Cancer

If you’re facing blood cancer or a blood disorder, bone marrow transplant or cellular therapy may be an effective treatment for you. Atrium Health Levine Cancer offers these therapies at the region’s only comprehensive transplant and cellular therapy center.

We bring you access to advanced cancer treatments not available elsewhere, including the full range of transplants, CAR T-cell therapy and the latest clinical trials. And our leading team of specialists – including nationally recognized physicians – work together to provide the expert care you need.

Our program is fully accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and reports outcomes among the best in the country.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at 980-442-6400.

Conditions Treated with Transplant and Cellular Therapy

Our team uses transplant and cellular therapy to treat a wide range of cancers and blood disorders, including:

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Myeloproliferative disorders
• Aplastic anemia
• Germ cell tumors
• Sickle cell anemia

Leaders in Bone Marrow Transplant

Our state-of-the-art bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit was the first of its kind in the region. Bone marrow transplant, also known as blood and marrow transplant or stem cell transplant, is a technique in which healthy blood stem cells are infused into your body to replace unhealthy marrow cells. With expertise in all aspects of stem cell therapy, our collaborative team of specialists delivers top quality care.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone marrow transplants use different sources of healthy cells. We offer the full range of transplants currently available, including advanced treatment approaches available at limited numbers of hospitals across the country:

• Autologous (self-donated) transplants that use stem cells from the patient
• Allogeneic (donor) transplants that use stem cells from a patient's family member or an unrelated donor
• Half-matched transplants, or haploidentical transplants, a type of donor transplant that broadens the potential for finding a match

And as a partner of the National Marrow Donor Program, our transplant center has access to donors from around the world, so you have a better chance of finding a match.

The Bone Marrow Transplant Process

The bone marrow transplant process is complex and different for everyone, but typically includes these steps:

• You’ll undergo evaluation and testing to find out if you’re a good candidate for bone marrow transplant, and if so, which kind.
• Depending on what type of bone marrow transplant you’re getting, either you or your donor will have your stem cells collected from your (or your donor’s) blood or bone marrow.
• Leading up to your stem cell transplantation, you’ll stay in the hospital for a conditioning regimen, or treatment to prepares your body to accept the new stem cells. It may include chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
• The stem cells will be infused through an IV, similar to a blood transfusion. The stem cells will start to grow and produce new, healthy blood cells.
• The process of growing new blood cells typically takes between two and four weeks. During this time, you may stay in the hospital to help protect you from germs while your immune system builds back up. Specially trained experts will help you manage any side effects and follow-up care.

Pioneers in CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy is a type of cellular therapy that supercharges your immune cells to fight cancer.

We’re one of a limited number of cancer care centers that offer CAR T-cell therapy as an approved treatment for certain types of lymphoma and leukemia, and as a clinical trial for other types of blood cancer such as multiple myeloma.

The CAR T-Cell Therapy Process

CAR T-cell therapy is a multi-step process that takes place over several weeks:

• T cells are immune cells that help your body fight disease. CAR T-cell therapy begins with removing T cells from your blood through apheresis, a procedure that’s similar to donating blood. During apheresis, T cells are separated and removed from the blood and the remaining blood is returned to the body.
• Your T cells are sent to a lab, where experts attach a special protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to the cells. This turns them into CAR T-cells, which recognize and destroy cancer cells. Over time, the CAR T-cells multiply.
• While waiting for your CAR T-cells, you may undergo chemotherapy to help lower the number of other immune cells in your body, so that the CAR T-cells have a better chance of activating to fight your cancer.
• When your body is ready, the CAR T-cells will be infused back into your bloodstream, where they’ll continue to multiply and attack your cancer cells. CAR T-cells can stay active in your body, offering long-term protection against recurrence.
• After CAR T-cell therapy, you’ll stay in the hospital for a minimum of one week so your care team can monitor for and manage any side effects or complications. The length of your stay will depend on how you respond to your treatment and your recovery.

Your Transplant and Cellular Therapy Care Team

Our collaborative team of specialists will guide your treatment from start to finish. Your care team may include leading hematologists, radiation oncologists, clinical pharmacists, specially trained inpatient and outpatient nurses, nutritionists, advanced care practitioners and social workers.

You’ll also have a transplant coordinator and financial coordinator to help manage your care, from scheduling appointments to locating nearby housing and assistance with insurance questions.

The Support You Need at Every Step

Facing a serious health condition can feel confusing and overwhelming at times – often involving physical, financial and emotional challenges for you and your family.

Before, during and after your treatment, our goal is to help you minimize side effects, ease recovery and nurture well-being. We offer an array of resources, from post-transplant and disease-specific support groups to informational classes for both patients and caregivers.

Find out more about Levine Cancer’s comprehensive support programs.

Lifesaving Therapies Through Clinical Trials

When you need care that goes beyond standard treatments, Levine Cancer gives you access to potentially breakthrough therapies through an extensive program of clinical trials for cancer and blood disorders, including Phase 1 studies.

Learn more about current clinical research at Levine Cancer.

Location

The Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program is located at Levine Cancer’s research and academic headquarters in Charlotte. If needed, our team can help you find housing close to the hospital.

Levine Cancer Institute
1021 Morehead Medical Drive
Charlotte, NC 28204

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 980-442-6400.