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Stem cell transplant and cellular therapy

Overview

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center leads the Southeast in using immunotherapy and cellular therapy for treating cancer. We perform more stem cell transplants than almost anyplace else in the nation. 

Cellular therapies treat certain life-threatening diseases. They are a type of immunotherapy; they help the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. 

Stem cell transplantation (bone marrow transplant) is a type of cellular therapy. Stem cells are found in marrow, inside bones. They make cells that circulate in the bloodstream: red and white blood cells and platelets. A stem cell transplant treats blood cancers and some non-cancer conditions. Transplanting healthy stem cells into a person with diseased bone marrow restores the body’s ability to grow healthy blood cells. We are nationally recognized for our stem cell transplant programs to treat blood cancers.
 

Meet Your Care Team

Bhagirathbhai Dholaria
4.9

Bhagirathbhai DholariaMD

    Bone Marrow Transplant, Hematologic Cancer, Hematology, Hematology/Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant
Reena V. Jayani
4.9

Reena V. JayaniMD, MSCI

    Hematologic Cancer, Hematology/Oncology
Adetola A. Kassim
4.7

Adetola A. KassimMD

    Bone Marrow Transplant, Hematologic Cancer, Hematology, Hematology/Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant
Bipin Savani

Bipin SavaniMD

    Bone Marrow Transplant, Hematologic Cancer, Hematology/Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant

Why Choose Cellular Therapies and Immunotherapy at Vanderbilt

  • diploma, award, ribbon, Recognized care, quality
    Recognized cancer care

    The National Cancer Institute designates us as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest ranking by the world’s leading authority on cancer. Vanderbilt is the only such designated cancer center in the state of Tennessee that treats adults and children.

  • luxury, diamond, Recognized expertise, exclusive
    Knowledge and experience

    Our stem cell transplant program treats more than 300 adults every year. We were also the first cancer center in Tennessee to successfully treat a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma using his own re-engineered immune cells (Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, or CAR T). This experience means expert care for you. We are consistently ranked highly for patient survival after stem cell transplantation.

  • conference, Team approach, people, staff, partners
    Team approach

    Our oncologists, hematologists and radiation oncologists combine their expertise to create a personalized care plan for you. These specialists take into account your diagnosis, your genes, your symptoms and your circumstances. And we work with your referring doctor. We also have large team of nurses, pharmacists, case managers and more who will ensure that all aspects of your care are well covered. 

  • marker, map, geo-fence, One convenient location
    Convenient care

    We are one of the few centers in the country offering stem cell transplantation on an outpatient basis. We have also pioneered outpatient CAR T therapy. This means you can stay nearby with your family, instead of in the hospital, after a transplant.

  • bicycle, bike, exercise, fitness facility
    Support services

    We offer ongoing services to ensure that you have what you need to feel better, physically and emotionally. For example, our stem cell transplant wellness program, RESTORE, helps patients with allogeneic stem cell transplants improve cardiovascular fitness, strength and functional ability. 

  • medical research, flask, Innovative techniques
    Latest technology

    We are one of the core research centers for Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN). This means you will have access to clinical trials for stem cell transplant research. Also, we offer cellular immunotherapies for relapsed or treatment-resistant cancers.

  • first aid kit, cross, Specialized care
    Specialized care

    We have care teams specially trained in stem cell transplants for patients with sickle cell disease, amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. We also have a stem cell transplant team focusing on evaluating senior citizen patients, to minimize their risk of complications after transplant.

Treatments We Offer

We offer a full range of stem cell transplants and cellular therapies, including:

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Clinical Trials

We offer clinical immune checkpoint inhibitors with other immune therapy drugs and other treatments to give you the most effective treatment. 

Your immune system needs to be able to tell the difference between healthy cells and foreign cells, so it can attack the bad ones and leave the healthy cells alone. Checkpoints are molecules on certain immune cells that are activated when the body detects an invading cell. Cancer cells turn off these checkpoints and are able to hide from the immune system.

PD-1 is a specific checkpoint on the T-cells of the immune system. PD-1 keeps the cells from attacking. The job of the checkpoint inhibitor drugs is to block PD-1, allowing the T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Location

1301 Medical Center Drive, Suite 3903
Nashville, TN 37232
2200 Children's Way, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37232
Today's hours:8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient to Vanderbilt’s Cellular Therapy and Immunotherapy team, call (615) 343-3700.