Step 1: Cell Collection
The first step is to collect your T cells. This process – called leukapheresis – takes place several weeks before you begin your preparative chemotherapy, which occurs shortly before your CAR T-cell infusion. During leukapheresis, some of your blood is removed from your body through a needle in one arm, moved through a cell separator to collect needed blood cell components, and then returned through a needle in your other arm.
Some patients may require a central line to be placed for the apheresis process. If this is needed, you will be scheduled for this line to be placed with Interventional Radiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital the day before or the day of your collection, and removed by Interventional Radiology after your collection is complete. Your line will be placed again before your CAR T-cell infusion.
The leukapheresis procedure usually takes 4 hours and is completed in one day. It takes place at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, located in Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Building (35 Binney St., Boston).
Step 2: CAR T-Cell Manufacturing
Some patients may require a central line to be placed for the apheresis process. If this is needed, you will be scheduled for this line to be placed with Interventional Radiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital the day before or the day of your collection, and removed by Interventional Radiology after your collection is complete. Your line will be placed again before your CAR T-cell infusion.
The leukapheresis procedure usually takes 4 hours and is completed in one day. It takes place at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, located in Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Building (35 Binney St., Boston).
Step 2: CAR T-Cell Manufacturing