Since 1990, the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) program has been providing peripheral blood and bone marrow–derived stem cell transplants to patients with malignant and non-malignant hematological conditions.

Blood or marrow transplants are intensive treatments aimed at curing malignant and non-malignant diseases. To perform these treatments safely and effectively, our dedicated professionals navigate each patient through all phases of the transplant process.

Transplants

The BMT program performs a range of stem cell transplants:

• Autologous stem cell transplants
• Allogeneic stem cell transplants
  • Umbilical cord blood
  • Related and unrelated donor bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplants
  • Donor lymphocyte infusions

These transplants are processed within our state-of-the-art cellular therapy facility located at the University of Utah.

Research

Our investigators focus on:

• Understanding the basic genetics of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
• Development of T cells from stem cells
• The use of regulatory T cells in stem cell transplant
• Gene expression profiling of multiple myeloma to identify genes that aide to predict outcomes

Numerous clinical trials are aimed at improving current and future outcomes of transplants for a variety of diseases:

• AML and MDS
• Plasma cell dyscrasias
• Myelofibrosis
• Lymphoma

Our patient-focused program offers the hope of newly emerging clinical trials and the peace of mind in knowing that each patient receives the best possible care from a team of specialized and experienced medical professionals. We are determined to improve the outcomes of patients undergoing stem cell transplants.

The BMT Program's Guiding Philosophy

Expertise

• Every physician, midlevel provider, and nurse has been given specialized training in the field of transplantation.
• Our transplant physicians have an average of 16 years of experience in the field.
• Our midlevel providers have an average of 6 years in the transplant field. [link to medical team]

Personal, Compassionate Care

• We understand that every patient is unique. We treat our patients, not just their diseases.
• The transplant physician that performs the initial consultation becomes the patient's primary transplant physician, ensuring continuity of care throughout the transplant process.
• Transplant physicians consider factors other than just the patient's disease status when defining the best treatment approach for that individual patient.
• A specific transplant coordinator [link to coordinators] is assigned to each patient. The coordinator guides the patient through the treatment process.

Communication

• Our physicians may spend up to two hours in the initial consultation to fully evaluate and discuss all treatment options.
• Team members hold weekly meetings to discuss each patient's case and determine the best available treatment.
• Throughout diagnosis and treatment, the BMT team communicates directly with specialty services at University of Utah Hospital and Clinics.
• The BMT attending physician communicates directly with the patient's referring physician.

Quality

• Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah participate in national quality and patient satisfaction studies. In 2010, University of Utah Health Care ranked number one in quality in the University HealthSystem Consortium's Annual Quality and Accountability Study.
• The BMT program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). This organization requires that we maintain specific standards set forth by our peers, ensuring our commitment to quality patient care.
• Huntsman Cancer Institute is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)–designated Cancer Center. These centers are characterized by scientific excellence and the capability to integrate diverse research approaches.

State-of-the-Art Treatment

• We are committed to defining the next generation of treatments for hematologic malignancies.
• Our transplant physicians belong to an international consortium (the International Myeloproliferative Disorders-Research Consortium) and a national consortium (the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Non-Myeloablative Transplant Consortium)

Our physicians participate in several national organizations: National Comprehensive Cancer Network panels, National Cancer Institute–sponsored Clinical Trials Network, Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry Steering Committee. This allows us to integrate the current standard practices as well as novel clinical trials available nationwide.