Hematology, Blood & Marrow Transplant, and Cellular Therapy (HBC) Program
The UCSF Hematology, Blood and Marrow Transplant, and Cellular Therapy (HBC) Program provides advanced treatment options with care and compassion. Our acclaimed program draws patients from around the world seeking effective, innovative therapies from specialists in blood disorders, including blood cancers.
UCSF is also home to a robust research program for hematology, bone marrow transplant and immunotherapy. Patients may have the option to participate in clinical trials (studies of promising new treatments), including those evaluating cutting-edge immunotherapies, such as tumor vaccines or CAR T-cell therapy.
CAR T-cell therapy
The UCSF patient care and research teams are globally recognized for their groundbreaking work in cell-based immunotherapy for cancer. In 2011, our researchers made history by developing and testing ipilimumab (Yervoy), the first checkpoint inhibitor to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We continue as leaders in the field by actively engaging in CAR T-cell treatment and research.
FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy uses the patient's own immune system to fight certain cancers. This one-time treatment is used when the cancer has resisted all other therapeutic options or recurred more than once.
Many patients have achieved long-term remission (decrease or disappearance of symptoms) through CAR T-cell therapy. These include patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma. Research is ongoing to evaluate CAR T-cell therapy for treating other blood cancers, including multiple myeloma, and solid tumors of the breast, prostate, brain, lungs and other organs.
Comprehensive cancer care
A cancer diagnosis and the treatment that follows can be overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. We're committed to supporting patients and their caregivers throughout their cancer journeys.
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
As part of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, the UCSF Patient and Family Cancer Support Center offers access to many services, including:
- Support groups
- Exercise counseling
- Mindfulness classes
- Psychological and social support
- Symptom management
Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
Our program is a collaborator in the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, an organization comprising 10 of the world's leading cancer centers. The Parker Institute's mission is to turn cancer into a curable disease by accelerating the development of breakthrough immunotherapies.
Our locations
Other UCSF cancer care options near you (3)
UCSF-John Muir Health Cancer Center in Berkeley
Redwood Shores Specialty Care Clinic
Our team
Clinical trials
A Multicenter Access and Distribution Protocol for Unlicensed Cryopreserved Cord Blood Units (C...
The primary objective of this access and distribution protocol is to examine the incidence of neutrophil recovery of ≥500/mm3 after cord blood transplantation in a multi-institution setting using CBUs that are not FDA licensed.
Recruiting
Testing Drug Treatments After CAR T-cell Therapy in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse L...
Will compare PFS in participants with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma or follicular lymphoma grade 3B with stable disease (SD) or partial remission (PR) on first imaging response (day +30 positron emission tomography [PE...
Recruiting
Glofitamab With Pirtobrutinib for Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma
The severity of the toxicities will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version (v)5.0. AEs and clinically significant laboratory abnormalities meeting ...
Recruiting
Talquetamab in Combination With Iberdomide and Dexamethasone for Relapsed or Refractory Multipl...
Safety will be evaluated for the population of participants who received at least one dose of study drug. Treatment-emergent AEs will be graded by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0.
Recruiting
Venetoclax, Daratumumab, and Dexamethasone for Systemic Light-Chain Amyloidosis With Translocat...
A dose limiting toxicity (DLT) will be defined as an adverse event that are considered by the investigator to be at least possibly related to the study drugs and are observed within the DLT assessment window (Cycle 1, Days 1 to 28...
Recruiting
Ruxolitinib With De-Intensified HLH-94 for the Treatment of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis ...
The proportion of responder (complete response (CR) or partial response (PR)) or non-responder at the end of induction using a physician developed response criteria will be reported. Those with non-malignant HLH (nmHLH) will be as...
Recruiting
Rankings & achievements
-
Among the top hospitals in the nation
-
Best in Northern California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care
-
Rated high-performing hospital for leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma care
-
blood and marrow transplants performed each year
-
Founded in 1986
Accreditations & memberships
-
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute has designated UCSF a comprehensive cancer center, its highest ranking. This designation is awarded to centers that demonstrate scientific excellence and the ability to conduct cancer research across many disciplines.
-
Commission on Cancer
UCSF's cancer programs have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 1933. The CoC is a consortium of groups dedicated to improving cancer patients' survival and quality of life via research, education and better medical care.
-
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
UCSF is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world’s top cancer centers. The network brings together leaders in treatment and research to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care.
-
FACT Accreditation
Our Hematology, BMT and Cellular Therapy Program is accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). FACT-accredited programs follow specific high-quality medical and laboratory processes when providing cellular therapies such as BMT.
Patient education
Support services
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your condition
- List of your medications, including dosages, plus any you're allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
Related clinics
Our research initiatives
-
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Research
UCSF is home to a range of research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients everywhere. This includes research on topics such as immunotherapy, BRCA mutations and molecular diagnostic testing.