Stem cell transplantation is used to replace diseased bone marrow, as in leukemia, or as a rescue therapy for patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Bone marrow or peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells are collected for patients scheduled to undergo stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation.
For autologous transplants, the patient donates his or her own cells. For allogeneic transplants, a healthy donor provides cells for a patient. Collected cells are processed to concentrate the stem cells, or may be further processed in a variety of ways depending upon the source and volume of stem cells and the diagnosis of the recipient. A cryoprotectant chemical mixture is added to protect cells during freezing and they are cryopreserved and stored at temperatures below -160oC until thawed for infusion into the patient.
The Cellular Therapy Division provides comprehensive laboratory support for bone marrow and stem cell transplant patients at CCHMC, Jewish Hospital, Kenwood and Akron Children’s Hospital, as well as for National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Our program provides peripheral blood stem cell apheresis collections, and a large array of processing and cryopreservation services, as outlined below.
In addition, this group assists in the development of novel cellular therapy products and performs innovative cell selection and depletion procedures on hematopoietic progenitor cell grafts and other cellular materials for clinical trial use.
The Cell Therapy Laboratory’s extensive storage capacity and emergency backup procedures safeguard the storage of cells indefinitely. Tracking procedures employed throughout each phase of collection, processing, storage and delivery provide physicians with confidence that their patients’ products are secure and available at a moment's notice.
A contractual arrangement between Hoxworth Blood Center, the patient's hospital and a physician's order are required to receive these services.
The Cell Therapy Laboratory either provides the desired quality control testing in-house, or maintains contractual relationships with several laboratories on campus at the University of Cincinnati to provide the patients’ physician with an understanding of the quality of the graft collected for their patients. Available testing includes:
The Cellular Therapy Division at Hoxworth Blood Center is currently supporting the following clinical trials being conducted at institutions throughout Cincinnati:
We would be pleased to provide assistance with additional Phase I/II cellular therapy clinical trials. The range of services provided can vary to match the Investigator’s needs:
The Cellular Therapies Laboratory is registered with the U S Food and Drug Administration and accredited by The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and the AABB. Services are provided in compliance with FDA’s cGTP (21CFR-1271) and cGMP (21CFR-211) regulations, as applicable.
Cell Therapy Laboratory:
(513) 558-1551
cell.therapy@uc.edu