Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Services | Bone Marrow Transplant
As Orange County's first adult bone marrow transplant program, we provide comprehensive treatment for blood and lymph cancers
When chemotherapy has not been effective, you may benefit from a stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant.
If your doctor believes you’re a candidate for stem cell therapy, our team will carefully evaluate your condition and partner with you every step of the way.
Our specialists provide advanced transplant care designed to treat complex blood cancers and help restore healthy blood production.
As the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in Orange County, we've been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the highest-ranked cancer center based in the county.
Our approach to stem cell transplants
Stem cell transplantation is one of the most advanced treatments for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
At UCI Health, this treatment is delivered through our Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Cell Therapy Program.
Our specialists collaborate across disciplines to evaluate your condition and determine whether a transplant is the best treatment option for you.
Multidisciplinary transplant team
Your care team may include:
- Hematologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Infectious disease specialists
- Cardiologists and pulmonary specialists
- Gastroenterologists
- Dermatologists
- Transplant coordinators
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
- Social workers and support services specialists
These experts coordinate closely throughout your treatment and recovery.
How the evaluation process works
If your hematologic oncologist believes you may benefit from a transplant, they will refer you to our transplant program for evaluation.
During your consultation, our specialists will:
- Review your diagnosis and medical history
- Assess organ function and overall health
- Discuss potential risks and benefits of stem cell transplant
- Evaluate caregiver support and recovery needs
- If you proceed with a stem cell transplant, you’ll either donate blood stem cells yourself, or we’ll find a donor. Typically, we find a related donor.
Comprehensive procedure care
We provide full pre- and post-transplant care, allowing you to maximize the treatment benefit close to home.
Our close monitoring improves your post-transplant recovery
Our stem cell transplant specialists guide you through each stage of treatment and recovery. Schedule an appointment with one of our world-class oncologists today. Call 714-456-8000, or
Why choose UCI Health for stem cell transplant?
Orange County’s first adult stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program
UCI Health launched the first adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant and cell therapy program in Orange County. This allows you to receive advanced transplant care close to home.
If you have other types of cancer, this program also opens the way to emerging immunotherapy options, such as CAR T-cell therapy.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designed comprehensive cancer center
Our transplant program is part of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Orange County.
International leader in stem cell transplantation
Our program includes internationally recognized transplant physician Stefan O. Ciurea, MD, a pioneer in haploidentical donor transplantation. This approach allows more patients to find compatible donors and access life-saving therapy.
Ciurea also uses promising new approaches in our program, such as employing natural killer (NK) cells to decrease relapse after transplant.
Access to innovative clinical trials
As an academic health system, UCI Health participates in clinical trials that evaluate new transplant techniques and cellular therapies.
Find a cancer clinical trial
Talk to your doctor to see if a cancer clinical trial is right for you.
Looking for more options?
View all cliniciansOur clinicians
Our UCI Health hematologists and hematological oncologists include:
- Jeffrey Y. Ahn, MD
- Zhaohui L. Arter, MD
- Shirin Attarian, MD
- Polina Bellman, MD
- Elizabeth A. Brem, MD
- April Choi, MD
- Warren Chow, MD
- Stefan O. Ciurea, MD
- Catherine C. Coombs, MD
- Emad Elquza, MD
- Angela G. Fleischman, MD
- Nicole C. Foley, MD
- John P. Fruehauf, MD
- Gol M. Golshani, MD
- Deepa Jeyakumar, MD
- Misagh Karimi, MD
- Matthew J. Keating, MD
- Yulian Khagi, MD
- Piyanuch Kongtim, MD
- Fa-Chyi Lee, MD
- Nataliya Mar, MD
- Alexander C. Minella, MD
- Nishant V. Munugala, MD
- Rupali K. Nabar, MD
- Misako Nagasaka, MD
- Andreea A. Nanci, MD
- Ali A. Naqvi, MD
- Edward L. Nelson, MD
- Susan M. O'Brien, MD
- Cathleen J. Park, MD
- Lauren C. Pinter-Brown, MD
- Jorge M. Ramos Perez, MD
- Arash Rezazadeh Kalebasty, MD
- Poorva Vaidya, MD
- Jennifer B. Valerin, MD, PhD
- Richard A. Van Etten, MD, PhD
- Miguel A. Villalona-Calero, MD
- Jason A. Zell, DO
- Mohammadbagher Ziari, MD
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Upcoming Events
3-4 p.m. +2 more dates
Stem Cell Transplant Support Group
If you plan to or have already undergone a stem cell transplant, the Stem Cell Transplant Support Group offers a safe and understanding environment for you before and after your transplant journey.
12-1 p.m. +3 more dates
Mastectomy Support Group — Before and After
The UCI Health Mastectomy Support Group is safe space for individuals who have undergone or are preparing to undergo a mastectomy.