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Hematopoietic Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant Program

  • Our Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) Program is one of the most experienced in the world, having performed more than 11,100 transplants for the treatment of blood cancers and related disorders. Our services include autologous transplant, using a patient's own stem cells, as well as allogeneic transplant, using family member, unrelated, or umbilical cord blood donor cells. We also offer comprehensive services for related and unrelated stem cell donors.

    We coordinate closely with referring partners in the pre-transplant workup and post-transplant monitoring. Through partnerships focused on co-management of care and development of a shared treatment plan, patients will be able to receive more pre-transplant workup and post-transplant monitoring in the community. This will save patients who live a great distance from Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center from needing to travel to the hospital, and will reduce their treatment costs.

    Transplant Evaluation

    The transplant evaluation process is a critical juncture for care coordination and co-management of transplant patients. We offer a variety of services performed without our institution to streamline the pre-transplant process. We may be able to include referring providers in evaluation.

    Joseph Antin, MD, with a patient

    Tests include:

    • Cardiac Review
    • Pulmonary Evaluation
    • Radiology
    • Hematologic Staging
    • Solid Organ Screen

    Labs include:

    • Hematology
    • Chemistry
    • Infectious Titers
    • Protein Marker

    Post-transplant

    After patients are discharged from their inpatient stay following their stem cell transplants, we work closely with you and your care team to support their long-term recovery and survival. We created post-transplant guidelines, including items to watch for in the patient's post-transplant care. We are invested in developing a shared care plan for each individual patient.

    Routine follow-up:

    • Assess GVHD (for allogeneic transplant recipients)
    • Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection
    • Monitor for organ toxicity

    Routine labs:

    • CBCD with Differential
    • LFTs
    • Magnesium
    • CMV viral load (for allogeneic transplant recipients)
    • Tacrolimus level (for allogeneic transplant recipients if applicable)
    • Sirolimus level (for allogeneic transplant recipients if applicable)
    • Ferritin (if applicable)
    • IgG level (every 3 months during first year post-allogeneic transplant)

    If suspected infection:

    • EBV viral load (for allogeneic transplant recipients)
    • Adenovirus (for allogeneic transplant recipients)
    • Blood cultures
    • Beta glucan
    • Galactomannan
    • Radiographic imaging (if applicable)

    Stem Cell Donor Services

    Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center's Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital provides essential stem cell, blood product, and aphaeresis services to our transplant patients and blood donors. Bone marrow harvest is performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital by specially credentialed clinicians.

    Our accredited transplant donor services include:

    • Certified Hematopoietic Transplant Coordinators (CHTC), who continually improve strategies for finding each patient the best available donor in the shortest time frame while reducing expense
    • Education and advocacy
    • Stem cell and bone marrow collection coordinators, who provide comprehensive donor support throughout the donor process
    • Long-term support and follow-up for donors

    Cell Processing

    Ann LaCasce, MD, with another clinician

    All of our stem cell processing takes place in the Connell and O'Reilly Families Cell Manipulation Core Facility, New England's only Class 10,000 Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility for cell therapy at an academic medical center. The facility is accredited by FACT for cellular therapy product processing with more than minimal manipulation. Services include:

    • Processing hematopoietic stem cells for transplant
    • Generating modified tumor cells as cancer vaccines
    • Preparing immune cell populations for adoptive therapy

    Transplant and Cellular Therapies Quality Assurance

    • Teams of clinicians, investigators, and programs achieve outstanding outcomes, maintain regulatory compliance, and deliver safe and optimal care
    • Team of highly trained transplant specialists in QA, QC, QI, and regulatory management
    • Extensive safety systems and documentation resources for clinical decision-making
    • Accreditation by FACT and the Joint Commission

    Review our stem cell transplant resources for referrers and payers.

    Download our Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Guide.