SALISBURY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A new stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program now is available in the Lehigh Valley.
The ribbon was cut Tuesday on an infusion center at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Cedar Crest campus.
The facility offers stem cell transplant and cellular therapy.
“Stem cell transplants are a lifesaving treatment option, but they are also incredibly taxing for those receiving them and their loved ones,” said Lehigh Valley Health Network Chief Executive Officer Dr. Brian A. Nester said.
“In the past, our community members needed to travel out of the area for this treatment option, spending weeks in an unfamiliar hospital far from their homes.”
"Having the comfort of their family and community members close by throughout their entire patient journey can make all the difference in their emotional health."Physician in Chief Dr. Suresh Nair, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute
Dr. Suresh Nair, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute's physician in chief, said "patients receiving this treatment undergo many types of pre-transplant testing, need to come in for several outpatient appointments and spend weeks in the hospital during their treatment regimen."
"Having the comfort of their family and community members close by throughout their entire patient journey can make all the difference in their emotional health,” Nair said.
“This has been an 8-year journey, initially from kind of coming up with the vision, working with Memorial Sloan Kettering when our alliance started eight years ago."
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a leader in cancer research in New York.
'Advance cancer care in the region'
LVHN brought in hematologist Dr. Amir Toor months ago as medical director for the program.
"My colleagues and I have been hard at work building a specialized team of physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, social workers, financial counselors and transplant coordinators who are specially trained to care for and support patients undergoing stem cell transplants,” Toor said.
He said the treatments often are used to help people with blood conditions or recurring cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Many of the conditions need multiple rounds or high doses of chemotherapy.
"We’ve also overseen the development of designated spaces for the program, like an apheresis unit where stem cells are collected for transplants, and an inpatient unit specifically designed to keep our patients safe while they are receiving treatment."Program Director Dr. Amir Toor
"When we give high doses of chemotherapy that ends up destroying one's native bone marrow,” Toor said.
“So prior to doing so, we either identify a donor or we collect cells from the bone marrow or blood of that individual who's going to get therapy so that we can use these cells, freeze them down and give the chemotherapy and then infuse the cells to help restore marrow function."
Toor said the program is up and running and will advance cancer care in the region.
"We’ve also overseen the development of designated spaces for the program, like an apheresis unit where stem cells are collected for transplants, and an inpatient unit specifically designed to keep our patients safe while they are receiving treatment,” he said.
The center was made possible by gifts from Joe and Maureen Topper and Tom and Karin Hall.
