By Rob Wilder

It’s called CAR T cell therapy—a one-time treatment for blood cancer in which genetically engineered immune cells destroy each and every cancer cell in the body. The American Red Cross laboratory in Philadelphia works with worldwide pharmaceutical leader Novartis to isolate these powerful immune cells from a patient’s blood, genetically modify them and subsequently transfuse T cells back to the patient, where they attack and eliminate cancer cells.

“Genetically modified cell therapy has found clinical success in blood cancers and rare diseases such as leukemia and sickle cell disease,” says Dr. Samuel Molina, Executive Director for Therapeutic & Cellular Solutions Manufacturing. “The CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cell concept is now being applied to other diseases such as lupus.” It is also in the R&D stage for treating various rare diseases.

The central role of the Red Cross in this relatively new treatment is the collection of T cell rich white blood cells for processing by Novartis as well as patient care during the entire lifesaving process. “We are there for patients along every step of the way, from collection to transfusions of the finished CAR T cell product,” says Dr. Molina. He explains that Red Cross teams provide the required collections equipment and the bedside support needed for patients to receive their personalized cell therapy. The Red Cross team also provides critical cryogenic logistics that are required to freeze and transport cell therapies from manufacturing to the patient.

The treatment employs apheresis, a centrifugal blood separation process, to isolate white blood cells from whole blood. “We envision bringing apheresis equipment to community locations where various cancer physician groups can send patients.” Community apheresis has the potential to unlock CAR T therapy for many more people, he says.