Pediatric bone marrow transplants and cellular therapy
A bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy can be life-changing for patients with cancer, sickle cell and other blood or immune disorders. As the most experienced program in the state, we’re proud to care for children from around Virginia, and beyond.
Why choose CHoR for bone marrow transplant?
- CHoR is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (only pediatric program in Virginia).
- Our dedicated pediatric bone marrow transplant team brings a breadth and depth of expertise that is unmatched in Virginia.
- We are the region’s only pediatric cancer program and are affiliated with VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated cancer institute. Only four percent of US hospitals have this designation, and we’re part of one of only two in Virginia. This means we have access to the latest research, clinical trials and therapies for our patients.
- We are with you every step of the journey – from diagnostic consults through transplant and long-term follow-up.
- We care for the whole child and family – from medical follow-up to child life, mental health support and social work.
- You gain access to our on-site dedicated stem cell lab.
- We are a CAR-T lymphocyte collection site.
- Our apheresis program provides a full range of apheresis treatments for children – providing needed components from donor blood.
- Patients can receive cutting-edge, non-surgical extracorporeal photopheresis.
Disease-specific care: Conditions we treat
Specialized and compassionate care is offered for patients with the following conditions:
Allogeneic
- Acute and chronic leukemia
- MDS
- Marrow failure syndrome
- Aplastic anemia
- Thalassemia and sickle cell
- Immunodeficiency (SCID, IPEX, WAS, FOXO3 deficiency, HLH, ITK deficiency)
Autologous
- Neuroblastoma
- Central nervous system tumors (high-risk medulloblastoma, glioblastoma multiforme)
- Wilms tumor
- Hodgkins disease
- BCL
- Germ cell tumor
Treatment: We offer a full spectrum of transplants and cellular therapies
Our full spectrum of transplants and cellular therapies includes:
- CAR-T for B cell leukemia and lymphoma
- Matched related, matched unrelated, haplo-identical, mismatched unrelated and cord blood transplants
- Donor lymphocyte infusion
- Stem cell boost following high-dose chemo or MIBG therapy
Additional therapies:
- Gene therapy for sickle cell (current trial age 2-11 years with abnormal TCD despite transfusion), back-up site for Hgb 210 patients aged 2-11 years with severe vasoocclusive episode despite hydrea or transfusion
- CD19 CAR-T for relapsed/refractory B cell leukemia and B cell lymphoma
- Multi-viral CTLs for EBV, CMV, adenovirus for posttransplant activation or immunodeficiency
- Combined immunology/cellular therapy clinic for children and young adults with immunodeficiency, staffed by both immunology and transplant physicians
- Personalized therapy with in-house next generation sequencing for targeted therapy
- GVHD prevention and management program with in vivo and ex vivo graft manipulation, serotherapy, posttransplant cytoxan, extracorporeal photophoresis
Research and clinical trials
In addition to providing the best care for kids today, our physicians are continually researching advancements to find innovative treatments and future cures. Our patients have access to new or experimental treatments that are not yet widely available through participation in clinical trials and groups including:
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium
- Clinical Trial Network Consortium
- Primary Immune Deficiency Consortium (joint trials for immunodeficiency)
- Children’s Oncology Group (approved transplant center)
- Sickle Cell Transplantation to Prevent Disease Exacerbation (STRIDE) trial
Find a clinical trial
Support services for children undergoing bone marrow transplant
Care for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants and cellular therapy extends beyond medical expertise. Our comprehensive team provides care to support the unique needs of each patient and family, including:
The adolescent and young adult program helps patients plan for the future, with fertility preservation services and ongoing survivorship care. Wonderful community partners, including ASK and Connor’s Heroes, provide support services and events for patients, siblings and families. They also offer financial/travel assistance to families as needed.
