Cellular Therapy

Cellular Therapy at UVM Cancer Center

Cellular therapies such as stem cell transplant, CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies use your own cells to treat cancer. Stem cell transplant is an established part of blood and bone marrow (hematological) cancer treatment.

As a leading cancer program in the region, we offer:

National accreditation: Our program has received accreditation and is an authorized treatment center for stem cell transplant and CAR-T cell therapy. This achievement reflects the expertise of our physicians and a commitment to meeting national standards for quality and safety.
Expert team: Our stem cell transplant and CAR-T cell therapy teams are led by medical oncologists who specialize in these advanced therapies. They work closely with nurses, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, pathologists and quality assurance coordinators to provide the best possible care in a supportive, caring environment.
Innovation: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physician-leaders are active researchers. Our specialists participate in and lead clinical trials that give eligible patients access to new treatments before they become widely available.

Cellular Therapy Services

We offer a number of cellular therapy services including:

Stem Cell Transplant (bone marrow transplant)

Doctors use stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant, to treat blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. They transplant healthy blood-forming stem cells to replace stem cells damaged by cancer or cancer treatments.

There are two types of stem cell transplant:

Autologous stem cell transplant: In this type of transplant, the stem cells come from you. Our doctors collect a sample of blood, filter out the stem cells and store them in our laboratory. After you receive chemotherapy, the collected stem cells are returned to you through an IV to replace damaged bone marrow. Stem cell transplants usually require a stay in the hospital to help you heal and prevent infections. After discharge, you may need to stay nearby while your blood cell counts recover.
Allogeneic stem cell transplant: This type of transplant uses cells from a donor who matches your blood type and other blood characteristics. We partner with other premier cancer centers in the U.S. to care for patients in need of this service.

CAR-T Cell Therapy

UVM Cancer Treatment Center is the only center in Vermont and northern New York to offer this leading-edge treatment. In CAR-T cell therapy, we remove infection-fighting white blood cells, called T cells, from your blood. The T cells are altered in a lab to produce receptors that can recognize cancer. These engineered T cells are returned to your blood, where they find and destroy cancer cells. CAR-T cells can remain in your blood and protect you from cancer for several years.

During the first month after CAR-T cell infusion, you will need to stay close to UVM Cancer Treatment Center for monitoring. You may spend part of this time in the hospital. If you live outside the Burlington area, we partner with Hope Lodge to provide free housing for you and your family.

CAR-T cell therapy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for some types of lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma after other treatments have not been effective.

Our researchers participate in clinical trials investigating how to improve CAR-T cell therapy and expand it to other cancer types. Clinical trials may give you access to new treatment options before they become widely available. If you are interested in participating, please discuss your options with your provider.

Bispecific Antibodies

Antibodies are proteins that recognize and bind to foreign invaders, such as cancer cells. Bispecific antibodies are manufactured to have two separate binding sites. One site attaches to the cancer cell and the other attaches to a T cell. This close proximity allows the T cell to attack the cancer cell. Bispecific antibodies are a new type of cancer therapy we offer as an approved treatment or through clinical trials.

Cancer Care

Clinical Trials

The UVM Cancer Center supports more than 100 active clinical trials focused on prevention, screening, treatment, supportive care and survivorship.

View open trials

Cellular Therapy Highlights

At UVM Cancer Treatment Center, we deliver cellular therapy services with your needs in mind. During cellular therapy treatment, you may require extended hospitalization or frequent check-ins with your medical team. Our nurse navigators are by your side every step of the way to monitor you closely, answer questions and guide your care.

Highlights of our services include:

Free Lodging

UVM Cancer Treatment Center partners with the American Cancer Society to offer free accommodations for patients and families who are coming to us for treatment. Hope Lodge is for patients and families who live more than 40 miles outside of the Burlington area. Located next door to UVM Medical Center, this home-away-from-home provides a supportive, healing environment. You’ll find amenities such as private guest rooms and bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and free laundry facilities.

Dedicated Hospital Rooms

We have dedicated rooms for patients receiving stem cell transplants in the new Miller Building at UVM Medical Center. These private rooms have enhanced air filtration to protect you from infections while you are rebuilding your immune system.

Awards & Certifications

Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy

The UVM Cancer Treatment Center is accredited for stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy through the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). FACT sets safety and quality standards for cellular therapy and ensures program personnel meet high educational and experience requirements.