Bone Marrow Transplant & Cell Therapies Program

Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Institute features a brand new, state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cell Therapies unit. This innovative addition to TGH’s world-class cancer center specializes in treating patients with aggressive blood cancers, such as leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma and other types of cancer. 

At TGH, we recognize that you have a choice when it comes to cancer treatment — and you deserve the best. We’re proud to have earned a “high performing” designation for cancer care from U.S. News & World Report for 2023-24, ranking TGH among the top 10% of U.S. hospitals. In addition to being recognized for our rigorous, high-quality standards of care, we participate in many groundbreaking clinical trials, allowing our patients to have access to incredible new treatments on a regular basis.

What Is Cellular Cancer Therapy?

Bone marrow transplant is also known as stem cell therapy (SCT) and is a type of immunotherapy. This form of cellular cancer therapy boosts the immune system’s ability to fight cancer more effectively. We offer:

Autologous and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants

An autologous stem cell transplant is when a patient’s own healthy blood stem cells are collected. After the patient undergoes chemotherapy, the stem cells are reintroduced to the body to replace diseased bone marrow. Alternatively, allogeneic stem cell transplants use donor stem cells in the same process. Stem cell transplants may be effective treatment options for patients who are producing enough healthy bone marrow cells.

CAR T-Cell Infusion Therapy

Innovative CAR T-Cell therapy involves using a patient’s own T-cells, a type of white blood cell that helps protect the body from infection. Our expert cancer geneticists then engineer chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on the surface of T-cells. When these are reintroduced into the patient, the T-cells can better target and attack specific markers on the patient’s own cancer cells. This is a highly personalized and targeted therapy that improves the curative rate for patients with hybrid lymphomas and other aggressive cancers.

Cancer Stem Cell Therapy from Experts

Treating aggressive cancers can weaken a patient’s immune system, so other conditions can arise. For this reason, our BMT and Cell Therapies unit features robust infection control, including HEPA filtration, air exchanges and water filtration. Cardiac and neurological intensive care units, a team of infectious diseases experts, and cardiothoracic and critical care surgeons are also on-site. This approach to true multidisciplinary care means our patients can be immediately treated for any health-related event during their stay, without being transferred to another hospital.

In addition, the BMT and Cell Therapies team comprises dedicated hematologists, social workers, case managers, advance practice providers, physicians, pharmacists, dietitians and many others who specialize in transplant and cell-based therapy for cancer. The health care journey is led by dedicated Care Navigators who fully support and inform patients and their families throughout the entire process.

Meet Our Team

Ivan Borrello, MD
Medical Director, Myeloma, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cell Therapies Program
Hematologist Oncologist

Jennifer Hanle MSN, AGPCNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical Oncology

World-Class Patient Accommodations

Patient comfort is our priority, so each room in the unit is private with stunning waterfront views. The rooms are beautifully designed with soothing neutral colors and art and feature outstanding amenities. While undergoing treatment, patients can enjoy:

• In-room touchscreen televisions with CareComm artificial intelligence
• Secure digital smartboards for communication with loved ones
• Exercise bikes
• Refrigerators
• A couch that converts to sleeping space for a family member

TGH’s BMT and Cell Therapies experts are focused on individualized cancer care for patients. From our state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge and emerging technology, and advanced treatments to our world-renowned multidisciplinary team of specialists, we are well equipped to treat patients with all types of blood cancers.