What Makes a Stem Cell Transplant Program Unique?

At Hackensack Meridian Health University Medical Center’s John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC), the Adult Stem Cell transplant and Cellular Therapy Program is the largest in New Jersey, offering both donor and autologous transplants, as well as other advanced cell-based treatments.

In a discussion with CURE, Dr. Christina Cho, hematologist/oncologist specializing in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy, explained what sets the program apart, the impact of cellular therapies and the importance of individualized care.

She noted that beyond high patient volume and access to research trials, what makes the program unique is its people, highlighting the multidisciplinary team committed to patient-centered care.

CURE: Can you provide an overview of this program, and what sets it apart from other transplant centers?

Cho: This is actually very near and dear to my heart, and I'll tell you why. The adult stem cell transplant and Cell Therapy Program at John Theurer Cancer Center is the largest in New Jersey. We take care of a large number of patients receiving transplants, either from donors or from their own cells, as well as patients receiving other cell-based treatments for a wide variety of diseases. We run numerous research trials so that we can provide cutting-edge therapies for our patients. So, we have the high volume, we have the research.

What makes JTCC special in terms of this program is the people. We have a large multidisciplinary team, and I'm inspired every day by the commitment and compassion of every single person on that team. Every single person on our team wants to work here. They want to do everything they can to provide safe, high-quality care for our patients, but also to really take care of our patients as people. I think that part of the environment is something you notice when you walk through the doors. That’s what makes us special.

How has the integration of cellular therapy transformed outcomes for patients undergoing these transplants at the institution?

I've been doing this long enough to remember what it was like before we had CAR-T cells, gene therapy, and other cell-based therapies for even solid tumors like melanoma. It has really enhanced our ability to deliver more effective, safer treatments for people who, not too long ago, did not have a good prognosis. It has truly revolutionized the field.

I think the sheer pace of new discoveries we’re seeing in our field is also a testament to how excited and hopeful people are about the future.

How do you determine the most appropriate therapy for each individual?

Most commonly, the patients we see have blood cancers (leukemias, lymphomas, myelomas) or other diseases that aren’t cancer but affect the blood and immune system. In terms of determining the appropriate therapy for each patient, nothing happens in a vacuum, and nothing is decided by one person.

We have a very large multidisciplinary team with many doctors, and every patient’s case is considered separately. We decide together, in conversation with our collaborating and referring oncologists, to devise the optimal treatment plan for each patient.

Can you discuss the role of supportive care and multidisciplinary collaboration in ensuring successful transplant outcomes?

I’m a transplant doctor, but I have to admit that what I do is a very small piece of what goes into successfully shepherding a patient through transplant or cell therapy. At JTCC, we’re very lucky. We have a team of very dedicated people — not just the doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners, but also a whole core of medical specialists who help us. The pharmacists, social workers, nutritionists, and complementary medicine practitioners all play a role. Transplant and cell therapy can affect many parts of a person’s life, and we want to provide the support to help them through all of it.

For patients considering bone marrow transplant, what advice would you give regarding prep, recovery, and navigating the process?

First and foremost, no one can get through this alone. Transplant and cell therapy are the time for people to marshal their family and their whole support network, to lean on them and to lean on us. We want to hear your questions, your worries, and what you’re going through.

We have a lot of expertise in this building, we have resources that can help people, and most importantly, we have people who want to help you. I always say that transplant and cell therapy are not a regular part of most people’s lives, but for us and our team, it is daily life. We want to use the knowledge we have to help you.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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