Lifesaving stem-cell transplant program meets growing demand
The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program has been expanding swiftly in response to the increasing number of patients in need of the life-preserving treatments.
Since its inception, the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center program has served 385 patients, including more than 50 people treated with leading-edge CAR T-cell immunotherapies.
Led by internationally regarded hematologic oncologist Dr. Stefan O. Ciurea, the program offers complete pre- and post-transplant follow-up as well as access to leading-edge cell therapy options, including novel CAR T cell clinical trials.
It also serves a growing number of noncancer patients seeking transplants for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, myasthenia gravis, stiff person syndrome and more.
A new home base
All of this has been accomplished at the medical campus in Orange, where the program has more than reached capacity since it began in spring 2020.
With the opening of UCI Health — Irvine in December, the program’s home base is now the 350,000-square-foot acute care hospital.
The dedicated stem-cell transplant wing on the hospital’s top floor has increased inpatient bed capacity by 200%.
Adaptable hospital suites
The new inpatient suites in Irvine are equipped with the latest positive-pressure systems and technologies to provide customized cell therapy and allow transplant patients to safely rebuild their immune systems and fight disease.
Because each room can be converted into an intensive care unit, these patients can be safely and expeditiously treated for any eventuality.
Over the last year, the program has added physicians, oncology nurses, social workers and cell-processing specialists, all of whom are experienced in stem-cell transplantation and cellular therapies.
Leading-edge lab
Ciurea and cancer center leaders are particularly excited about a state-of-the-art processing lab set to open in 2026 in the adjacent Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in Irvine.
The lab and its experienced team will ensure that all cell therapy products meet the highest quality and safety standards before being administered to patients.
It also will serve the program’s growing portfolio of cellular therapy clinical trials for malignant and nonmalignant diseases.
“Our much larger space and higher standards for cell processing and manipulation will enable us to produce novel cell therapies for early-phase clinical trials that will benefit future UCI Health patients,” Ciurea said.