Blood cell transplants for cancer treatment

We use different kinds of transplants of blood cells to help treat blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. These therapies are also used with some other types of cancers. Three kinds of transplants that we use are:

• Autologous stem cell transplants (ASCT)
• Allogeneic stem cell transplants
• CAR T-cell transplants

When you choose Aurora Health Care to treat your cancer, you’ll work with a multidisciplinary team including transplant-trained MDs, Advanced Practice Clinicians, pharmacists, transplant coordinators, nurses, social workers and a registered dietitian dedicated to transplant patients. Our group approach means you’ll get a treatment plan tailored to your type and stage of cancer – a plan that extends through treatment and into recovery.

Stem cell transplants

Transplants of healthy blood stem cells may be recommended when high doses of chemotherapy are required. That’s because while chemotherapy can kill off the cancer cells inside your bone marrow, it can also destroy healthy stem cells (immature blood cells).

A stem cell transplant can help rebuild your bone marrow after chemotherapy. We perform these stem cell transplants:

• Autologous stem cell transplants (ASCT) use stem cells that are removed from your body before chemo treatment, and then returned afterward.
• Allogeneic stem cell transplants use blood stem cells from a matching donor that are transplanted intravenously. Usually, the donation comes from a close relative such as a sibling, but donors may also be unrelated. We work closely with Be The Match marrow donor program to receive cell products for allogeneic transplant recipients.

After these transplants, the stem cells travel to your bone marrow and begin producing new healthy cells.

To determine whether ASCT is right for you, your medical team will perform a series of tests to evaluate:

• Your type of cancer
• The stage of the disease
• Whether your cancer is responsive to chemo
• Your overall medical condition

Keep in mind that ASCT requires intensive treatment and a hospital stay. It can be physically and emotionally stressful. If you’re eligible for the treatment, your ASCT team will work to help you make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

CAR T-cell transplants

Another kind of blood cell transplant that we use is called CAR T-cell therapy (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell), a type of immunotherapy used to attack cancer cells. We take some of your blood and extract your own T-cells. A gene for a special receptor is inserted into your T-cells in a laboratory. We then infuse millions of your enhanced T-cells into your bloodstream. Once infused, your CAR T-cells bind to the cancer cells and kill them.

For more information on blood transplant services, please call our transplant program coordinator 414-649-7032.

Experts on treating cancers of the blood

We participate in the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research data registry to ensure commitment to improving cell therapy outcomes. With patients’ consent, we share their information about cell therapy outcomes (anonymously) with the center. Every time people consent to such sharing, it helps improve treatments for everyone.

The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research also provides access to outcome data that helps us provide better care. It also allows our team members to learn best practices from cutting-edge information.

Our program has been accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) since 2010. Being an accredited program means we offer the most comprehensive, highest-quality, patient-centered care.

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center has the longest running dedicated ASCT program in Wisconsin. We’ve used ASCT to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, acute leukemia, multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, breast cancer, germ cell cancer and other solid tumors.

We've been approved for commercial CAR T-cell therapy since August 2020.

Treating your cancer, caring for you

Support during the cancer journey is a top priority. Aurora Health Care connects patients with the best specialists and programs to help you along the way.

Cancer nurse navigators – a dedicated nurse navigator helps guide your cancer care and addresses any needs or concerns.

Social workers – board-certified oncology social workers provide emotional support, connect you to community resources, and answer questions about work, finances, and insurance.

Cancer counseling – you can meet with a counselor one-on-one, with loved ones or in groups of people with similar experiences.

Spiritual care – seek spiritual support and help working through emotional and ethical challenges by meeting with our chaplains.

Support groups – participate in broad or focused support groups.

Clinical trials – we actively participate in numerous clinical trials which offer leading-edge treatment or therapy options for many types of cancer.