OHC Brings CAR-T Therapy to the Tri-State and Ushers in a New Frontier in the Fight Against Cancer

From James H. Essell, MD, medical oncologist, hematologist, and transplant specialist with OHC and the National Medical Director of Cellular Therapies for The US Oncology Network

February 21, 2019

James H. Essell, MD, medical oncologist, hematologist, and transplant specialist with OHC and the National Medical Director of Cellular Therapies for The US Oncology Network

OHC is pleased to announce that we are now offering Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T) for adults with certain blood cancers. OHC is the first in Greater Cincinnati to bring this revolutionary treatment to the region for adults with aggressive blood cancers, in partnership with The Jewish Hospital — Mercy Health Cincinnati Cancer and Cellular Therapy Center. OHC is also one of the few independent cancer practices in the U.S. to offer CAR-T.

With CAR-T, OHC doctors remove a patient’s immune system cells, send to a lab to be modified to recognize and kill cancer, and then infuse them back into the patient. The modified cells stay in the body where they continue to multiply and then destroy any new cancer cells.

With CAR-T, OHC doctors provide a cancer treatment option when standard treatments are not effective. Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma who have failed two or more types of cancer therapy may be eligible. CAR-T has been successful in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is now being tested in clinical trials for other types of cancer including glioblastoma, myeloma, renal cell carcinoma and solid tumors.

CAR-T is one of the most exciting breakthroughs for cancer treatment since chemotherapy. We are literally re-training our body’s own immune system to recognize cancer cells and destroy them. And not just once, but in an ongoing state. This is a real game-changer.

OHC has the only cancer specialists in the region certified to offer this advanced treatment to adults and The Jewish Hospital — Mercy Health Cincinnati Cancer and Cellular Therapy Center is one of a few centers in the U.S. with certification. For more information, contact OHC at 1-800-710-4674.

OHC (Oncology Hematology Care) has been fighting cancer on the front lines for more than three decades. OHC is the region’s leading experts in the treatment of nearly every form of adult cancer and complex blood disorder. OHC offers the latest medical, gynecologic and radiation therapy, and is always seeking better treatment options through participation in clinical trials. OHC is an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated, community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. At its heart, our approach to cancer care is simple – to surround you with everything you need so you can focus on what matters most: beating cancer. For more information about services and careers at OHC, call 1-800-710-4674.