CAR T-cell therapy and stem cell transplants
Advanced cellular therapies can help your body better fight blood cancer.
Cellular therapy at Geisinger
You don’t have to travel far for innovative blood cancer treatments — Geisinger offers cellular therapy right here in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that uses stem and immune cells to repair the body. First, we collect cells from a patient or donor and modify them in a lab to boost their healing properties. Then we put these enhanced cells into the patient's body to promote internal healing.
We provide stem cell transplants as well as CAR T-cell therapy, an advanced new approach to treating blood cancers.
Conditions cell therapy treats
Cellular therapy treats advanced blood cancers, including:
Therapies we offer
You can benefit from safe, effective cell therapies close to home, including:
CAR T-cell therapy is a new type of immunotherapy where your T cells (a type of immune cell) are genetically engineered to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
What are the benefits?
This form of therapy is a promising treatment for tough cancers and can help you achieve remission when other treatments fail. Since CAR T-cell therapy only targets cancer cells, it may have fewer side effects than chemotherapy and radiation.
Who is CAR T-cell therapy for?
Currently, CAR T-cell therapy is FDA-approved for use in certain types of blood cancers, including some forms of leukemia and lymphoma, particularly when other treatments have not been successful.
Trust our hematologic oncology team to guide and support you through the entire process — from initial consultation to post-treatment care.
A stem cell transplant replaces tissue inside your bones with healthy donor marrow. A transplant can help if you have leukemia or if complications from other cancer treatments have damaged your bone marrow.
How do stem cell transplants work?
To get the best results, donor marrow should closely match the chemical makeup of your marrow. Family members are often the best match. If we can’t use a family member’s marrow, you have the option of an unrelated donor marrow transplant.
A transplant works by taking a sample of donor blood and gradually introducing (infusing) it into your bloodstream. The donor blood finds and settles into your bone marrow. Over time, you start growing healthy bone marrow.
Why choose Geisinger for your stem cell transplant?
- Recognition: Geisinger has been recognized as an NMDP low-volume transplant center. We are also a Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy-accredited center. These recognitions demonstrate our commitment to meeting the highest standards for safe, effective stem cell transplant care.
- Range of transplant options: If your family members’ marrow isn’t a match, we give you access to donors from all over the world. We’re the only program in the region participating in the NMDP registry. This worldwide registry connects you to potential matches. Our experience in unrelated donor transplants gives you the best chance for successful treatment.
- Convenience: Before Geisinger’s NMDP center designation, transplants were only available in centers that are hours away. Now you can receive specialized transplant care at Geisinger’s Danville location. Area doctors put their trust in our program and often refer their patients to us.