BATON ROUGE, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is excited to announce that eligible patients now have access to a fully outpatient CAR T-cell therapy program. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, often referred to as CAR-T, is an advanced immunotherapy that genetically engineers a patient’s own T-cells (white blood cells) to recognize, target and kill cancer cells. While other local providers offer inpatient CAR T-cell therapies where a lengthy hospital stay is necessary, Mary Bird Perkins is the first Cancer Center in the region to offer this service in an outpatient setting.
CAR-T therapy uses T-cells that are collected from a patient’s blood and sent to a lab to be modified so that they can find and destroy cancer cells. These modified cells become “CAR-T cells” – cellular cancer fighting machines deployed within the patient’s body. This therapy is primarily used to treat certain blood cancers—leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma—often when other treatments have failed. In fact, patients will usually have at least one to two other types of treatments before they have their CAR-T treatment.
Andrew P. Dalovisio, M.D., serves as the director of the Myeloma, Lymphoma, and Cellular Therapy Program at Mary Bird Perkins. Through his exemplary leadership and clinical knowledge and through the dedication of his talented team, the Cancer Center is now able to provide this safe and effective treatment experience to patients close to home. For those who are eligible, patients can receive treatment during the day and then leave, allowing them the convenience of returning home, which in turn helps them in their healing through rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit.
Mary Bird Perkins will treat patients at its Cancer Center on Essen Lane. If a patient develops an inpatient need for post-infusion support, this will be provided at Baton Rouge General Medical Center’s Bluebonnet campus.
“The transformative properties of this fully outpatient therapy is incomparable,” said Dalovisio. “At Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, we are leveraging the very best and most advanced technologies to benefit patients right here in Baton Rouge. Through our outpatient CAR T-cell therapy program, we are proud to offer a personal level of care that no one else in our region is able to provide.”
The CAR-T process is complex, with many moving parts and a number of different specialties all working together in lockstep to meet the needs of the patient. These include CAR-T physicians, coordinators, nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians, and many others. And for patients involved in outpatient CAR-T, their caregiver plays a significant role in the outcome and overall success of treatment. From keeping track of appointments, to providing transportation, emotional support, personal care and more, the caregiver is an essential individual in this process and Mary Bird Perkins provides support to these individuals, too.
“At our Cancer Center, we are supported by some of the region’s most talented and experienced leaders in oncology and cancer treatment,” said Jodi Conachen, chief operating officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Cellular therapy represents a powerful advancement in cancer care, offering new hope for patients with complex disease. We are excited to expand access through our fully outpatient CAR-T program as we work to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer in our communities.”
Last month, Mary Bird Perkins was activated as a treatment site for Kite CAR-T cell therapy, becoming the only authorized provider of FDA-approved Kite therapies in Baton Rouge. These therapies are for certain leukemias and lymphomas and the Cancer Center is planning to be operational for multiple myeloma CAR-T products in several months. This achievement reflects months of intense preparation, cross‑departmental coordination, rigorous quality work and unwavering dedication to patient safety.
Becoming an authorized Kite CAR‑T site is no small feat, and it further positions the Cancer Center as a leader in cutting‑edge hematologic oncology therapies.
In fact, CAR-T is only the latest advancement highlighting the Cancer Center’s clinical expertise and innovation. Mary Bird Perkins recently launched an adaptive radiation therapy program that utilizes the Elekta Unity treatment system. Through its partnership with Elekta and other organizations, the Cancer Center offers sophisticated treatment techniques and advanced technology typically found at academic institutions in large cities. The Cancer Center also leads a nationally-recognized clinical trials program.
Learn more about Mary Bird Perkins and the CAR-T program by visiting marybird.org/car-t.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s largest cancer care organization and has been leading the fight against cancer for more than 50 years. Founded in Baton Rouge in 1971 by a group of community leaders, the Cancer Center now serves every region of Louisiana and communities across southwest Mississippi. With the most expansive team of highly-trained oncologists leveraging innovative therapies and technologies, Mary Bird Perkins is offering the most personalized treatment options available in the Gulf South. The Cancer Center’s emphasis on community-based care allows patients to access these resources close to home. From early detection through our innovative Prevention on the Go screening and education program, to diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer, Mary Bird Perkins offers a wide array of individualized support services to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. For more information, visit marybird.org.
