CAR T-CELL THERAPY
Novel Immunotherapy for Lymphoma and Leukemia Offers Hope to Patients at Sylvester
The innovative treatment is genetically engineered for each individual, giving you more personalized treatment options than ever before.
What is CAR T-cell Therapy?
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of cancer treatment called immunotherapy. It is FDA approved for adults with relapsed lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Immunotherapy uses your body’s own cells to fight cancer.
The first step is to collect T-cells from your blood through a simple process called apheresis. Those cells are shipped to a laboratory where they are genetically engineered to produce special receptors (CAR) that identify and attack cancer cells. The CAR T-cells are multiplied, frozen, and shipped back to Sylvester.
Then, low dose chemotherapy treatments are given to you to make room for the CAR T-cells, which are delivered in one infusion. This treatment requires hospitalization so the patient can be closely monitored for side effects or complications.
Why Sylvester?
Sylvester was part of the clinical trials that led to FDA approval of CAR T-cell therapy. Centers need special certification in order to provide this treatment. Sylvester is the first in South Florida certified to use this novel therapy and has more experience than any other medical center in the region.
1
Expertise in Research & Standard of Care
Sylvester is a designated Core Clinical Center for the Blood & Marrow Clinical Trial Network.
3
In Your Neighborhood
We’re the only cancer center in the region to offer outpatient stem cell treatment.
2
360° Approach
We utilize a comprehensive, personalized approach to your care with specialized clinical care coordinators, financial case managers, pharmacists, social workers, and highly-skilled clinical staff.
4
All Under One Roof
Unlike other treatment centers, our outpatient clinic, inpatient unit, collection, and processing lab are all conveniently located under one roof.
Who is a Candidate for
CAR T-cell Therapy?
Patients with the following conditions who have relapsed or did not respond to at least two kinds of treatment:
- Multiple myeloma
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
- High grade B-cell lymphoma
- Mantle Cell Lymphoma
- Transformed follicular lymphoma
- Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia
We are also conducting clinical trials for investigational uses of this therapy.
Our Robust Team
Krishna
Komanduri, M.D.
Director
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Denise
Pereira, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Mark
Goodman, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Lazaros
Lekakis, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Amer
Beitinjaneh, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Antonio
Jimenez, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Trent
Wang, D.O.
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Jay
Spiegel, M.D., FRCPC
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Hematology
Cara
Benjamin, Ph.D.
Director of
Cellular Therapy Laboratory
The Leading Stem Cell Transplant Program in the Region
Led by Dr. Krishna Komanduri, former President of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Adult Stem Cell Transplantation Program (SCTP) is one of the leading stem cell transplant programs in the nation. Performing over 200 transplants annually, the Sylvester SCTP is recognized for its outstating patient-centered care and academic excellence. Its team is comprised of physicians, nurses, clinical care coordinators, and other specialized personnel dedicated to cellular therapy, providing cutting-edge cell therapies for blood cancer and other diseases.
Nurse Practitioners
- Juan Ramirez, APRN
- Pepita Jean, APRN, BMTCN
- Michelle Sapp, DNP, APRN
- Michelle Emokpae, APRN
- Selgrys Cisneros, APRN
- Maikel Valdes, APRN, BMTCN
- Douglas Carollo, APRN, BMTCN
- Janet Rivero, APRN
- Laura Baquero, APRN
- Anne Plaisimond, APRN, OCN
- Yvette Morlote, APRN
- Emily Panzner, APRN, OCN
Administrative Support
- Elaine Fayad, Senior Administrative Assistant
- Alyssa Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant
Coordinators
- Peggy McNiece, R.N., SCTP Manager
- Jessica Leyes, R.N., Nurse Specialist
- Giselle Cabrera, R.N., Nurse Specialist
- Maria Santamaria, R.N., Nurse Specialist
- Aldona Rathod, R.N., Nurse Specialist
- Racheli Vidal, R.N., Nurse Specialist
- Daniela Vaccino, R.N., Nurse Specialist
Data Management
- Claudette Edwards, R.N., MSN, Quality/Data Manager
- Laurian Walters, Research Data Manager
- Juliana Norat, Research Data Manager
- Gregory Gibbs, Research Data Manager
Finance
- Monique Anderson, Finance Manager
- Rene Martell, Financial Case Manager
- Angela Smart, Financial Case Manager
- Sharon Nelson, Financial Case Manager
- Yadira Lorenzana, Financial Case Manager
Administration
- Debra Chinquee, APRN, SCTP Transplant Administrator
- Jovi Martinez, Decision Support Analyst
- Humberto Elejalde, Senior Systems Engineer
- Beatriz Mesana, Senior Manager, Business Operations to Dr. Komanduri
- Shari Cobbett, R.N., MSN, Inpatient/Outpatient Nurse Manager
Questions? We're here to help
Our nurse navigators are ready to help you find what you need.
Contact us today.