Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program
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What is an autologous stem cell transplant?
An autologous stem cell transplant involves removing some of the patient’s blood stem cells, getting a high dose of chemotherapy, and then re-infusing the patient’s stem cells back to you. This treatment is performed by KHSC’s malignant hematology unit, and it allows patients to be treated with much higher doses of chemotherapy. Stem cell therapy is used to treat cancers that may be more aggressive or harder to treat with other forms of systemic treatment.
Here’s how it works:
- Patients are given medications that cause the body to produce more stem cells. These stem cells spill out of the bone marrow into the bloodstream where nurses can collect them.
- Cells are collected, using a process known as “apheresis.” The patient is connected to a machine where the blood is pulled from the body and separated in a centrifuge. The stem cells are collected and the rest of the blood is returned to the body.
- The stem cells are sent for processing and are then frozen at a temperature of at least -180 degrees celcius, until they are needed.
- Once the patient has been deemed safe to proceed with transplant by the health care team, they are admitted for high-dose chemotherapy. This chemotherapy is very effective at damaging cancer cells in the patient’s blood, but it is also very hard on the healthy bone marrow cells.
- Once the chemotherapy has been cleared from the patients’ blood stream, it is safe to give the stem cells back to the patient via a transfusion. The cells are thawed at the patient’s bedside and are reintroduced back into the body where they will help the patient recover by producing healthy red blood cells.
The purpose of the transplant may be to cure the disease or control the disease symptoms and improve your quality of life, and the success rate for this procedure varies based on individual circumstances.
Learn more about the autologous stem cell process
About the KHSC program
KHSC’s autologous stem cell program is one of six stem cell transplant centres in Ontario, and one of only five sites that offers full services (from referral to consult, collection and transplant). The program performs between 70-80 stem cell collections, and 50-55 transplants each year (sometimes patients need more than one collection to obtain cells).
As part of the Southeast Regional Cancer Program, it provides services along the corridor between Trenton and Smiths Falls, meaning that these patients don’t need to drive to Toronto or Ottawa to receive care. But the KHSC program is also supporting programs across the province that may be over capacity. 42 per cent of patients treated by the program are from outside of the region.
Of all patients treated by the malignant hematology team at KHSC, 65 per cent have myeloma, 34 per cent have lymphoma and one per cent have other solid germ cell cancers.
The malignant hematology team is committed to the highest standard of clinical practice and is FACT accredited, meaning safer treatments for patients.
You must meet certain criteria to be considered for a stem cell transplant. Talk to your hematologist about your individual treatment plan and if a stem cell transplant is an appropriate and safe option for you.
The transplant process
To be considered for a stem cell transplant at KGH, you must be referred by your hematologist. Once you are referred to the program, you will be booked for an appointment with the stem cell transplant team. The purpose of this first meeting is to decide if a stem cell transplant will be an appropriate and safe treatment option for you.
Your stem cell transplant doctor and nurse will explain why you are being recommended for a stem cell transplant. They will also tell you about the possible benefits and risks.
The stem cell transplant unit is located on Kidd 9 in KGH.
You will also receive care in other hospital areas during your stem cell transplant, including Diagnostic Imaging, where you will get tests and procedures done, such as inserting your temporary central line.
Virtual day program
Since 2020, the autologous stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program has primarily used an outpatient model, known as the “virtual day program.” Patients can recover from treatment while supported in the comfort of their home.
In this model, patients are “virtually” admitted. You will return to the hospital each day for treatment, but do not stay overnight. You will then return home or stay in a hotel if it’s more convenient.
Because you are still “admitted,” throughout the process, you will be able to bypass the Emergency Department to receive prompt assessment and treatment, if any complications are suspected.
