Medical Minute: OhioHealth Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program

With the OhioHealth Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program rapidly approaching its 100th transplant, Basem William, MD, oncologist with OhioHealth, shared the strides they're making toward achieving it. 

"We're really excited,” said Dr. William about the program's growth and impact. “We started in October 2022, we did our first transplant. And this week we'll be doing our 85th transplant … We should be on track to our accreditation.” 

Now, they're ushering in a new era with the introduction of the Cellular Therapy Program. This program involves traditional transplantation methods, including autologous transplants from the patient to themselves, allogeneic transplants from a donor and “exciting new technologies like, what we call CAR-T,” Dr. William said. 

This therapy uses the body's own modified immune cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells. 

“There are now clinical trials also of the same cells in solid tumors,” he said. “There are many approved products in leukemia and lymphoma. There is really a lot of excitement in this space, and we're bringing all of that here to OhioHealth.” 

Addressing misconceptions about eligibility for cellular therapy, Dr. William emphasized the individualized approach of the program. 

“Each patient is different," he said. “I would say if there is a consideration for a transplant or cellular therapy for a patient, we would love to see them and we will evaluate and we'll tell them if they're really a candidate or not.” 

Dr. William said their team has seen many successful transplants in patients of advanced age and with various medical comorbidities. 

“With all of the new advances in therapy and technology, between myself and Dr. Efebera, we have about a total of 40 years of combined experience, life changing differences for these patients.” 

To learn more about the OhioHealth Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, click here.