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.