Skip to Main Content

What is CAR T-cell Therapy?

The innovative treatment is genetically engineered for each individual, giving you more personalized treatment options than ever before.

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.

Expertise in Research & Standard of Care

Sylvester is a designated Core Clinical Center for the Blood & Marrow Clinical Trial Network.


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.


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?

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.

Meet Our Team

Denise Pereira, M.D.
Denise Pereira, M.D.
Director, Stem Cell Transplant and
Cellular Therapy, Hematology
Mark Goodman, M.D.
Mark Goodman, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and
Cellular Therapy, Hematology
 Lazaros Lekakis, M.D.
Lazaros Lekakis, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and
Cellular Therapy, Hematology
Amer Beitinjaneh, M.D., M.S., M.P.H.
Amer Beitinjaneh, M.D., M.S., M.P.H.
Stem Cell Transplant and
Cellular Therapy, Hematology
Antonio Jimenez, M.D.
Antonio Jimenez, M.D.
Stem Cell Transplant and
Cellular Therapy, Hematology
Trent Wang, D.O.
Trent Wang, D.O.
Stem Cell Transplant and
Cellular Therapy, Hematology
Jay Spiegel, M.D., FRCPC
Jay Spiegel, M.D., FRCPC
Stem Cell Transplant and
Cellular Therapy, Hematology
Cara Benjamin, Ph.D.
Cara Benjamin, Ph.D.
Director of Cellular Therapy
Laboratory

Questions? We're here to help

Our nurse navigators are ready to help you find what you need.
Contact us today.

Call 305-243-7000