What is CAR T–cell therapy?

CAR T–Cell Therapy, an immunotherapy, is a novel therapy that helps a person's immune system recognize and fight cancer. The immune system is responsible for ridding the body of abnormal cells that are foreign (like cancer) or infected and T–lymphocytes (T-Cells) are a type of cell responsible for killing abnormal cells. During the CAR T-Cell treatment process, T–Cells are drawn from a patient's blood and genetically modified to recognize and fight their own cancer cells when reinfused.

Here's how it works:

  • First, a patient's white blood cells are collected through a process called apheresis.
  • Then, the T–Cells are isolated from other blood cells.
  • T–Cells are then modified in a special facility to help them recognize and target the cancer cells, what can be thought of as “fighter” T–Cells.
  • The number of fighter T-cells increases
  • The new fighter T-cells are infused back into the patient

Learn more about our clinical trial options.

FDA–approved therapy

CAR T–Cell Therapy is best administered in transplant centers that are FACT-accredited; Colorado Blood Cancer Institute has been accredited since 2002 and has a comprehensive care team specially trained in this exciting new therapy. Colorado Blood Cancer Institute has FDA approved CAR T-Cell Therapy now available in the following disease sites:

  • Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma
  • ALL
  • Mantle Cell Lymphoma
  • FL
  • MM

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CAR T–Cell therapy clinical trials

CAR T–Cell Therapy is an exciting new therapy that has been in research trials over the last few years. These types of treatments will be introduced gradually, and are available only at centers where doctors and nurses have been specially-trained and meet Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) accreditation standards. Colorado Blood Cancer Institute has offered CAR T–Cell therapy research options since early 2016 and has clinical trials open in:

  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
  • AML
  • CLL
  • Lupus (SLE)
  • Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
  • Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IMNM, DM, ASyS)
  • Multiple Sclerosis

Referral information

To learn more about CAR T-Cell Therapy, a type of immunotherapy, and potential treatment options for you, contact (720) 754-4835.