The Cleveland health system aims to offer the latest in cellular immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) cancer therapies, to more patients.
MetroHealth has opened a new facility aimed at making the latest in innovative cancer treatments and therapies available to more patients, including those affected by social drivers of health (SDOH).
The Cleveland-based health system will be offering cellular immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) cancer therapies, in its vector and cellular Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility. Officials say they're the first safety-net hospital in the US to make these services available on-site.
“Overcoming social barriers for the communities we serve is part of MetroHealth’s core mission," William Tse, MD, MetroHealth's division director of hematology and oncology, said in a press release. "This new facility furthers that commitment by providing the next generation of cancer treatments to people in need, regardless of financial status.”
“It is crucial that we address social drivers of health for our community – the factors that matter beyond traditional medical care," added Airica Steed, EdD, RN, MBA, FACHE, the health system's president and CEO. "Whether the need is to access transportation for follow-up appointments, healthy food, or other support systems, MetroHealth is committed to changing the way patients receive care. The launch of our vector and cellular facility will match these holistic support offerings with next-generation treatments and clinical trials, providing our community the access they need to enable the best possible outcomes.”
Health system executives noted that CAR-T therapy, which uses T-cells modified in a laboratory to target specific cancer cells, is only accessible to patients of large academic centers or those with the financial means to travel to the health system. MetroHealth will be offering these treatments through its Institute for HOPE, which addresses population affected by SDOH.
The 1,300-square-foot facility will house the MetroHealth Cellular Immunotherapy and Stem Cell Transplantation Program, and was supported by the Cleveland Innovation District, a collaborative partnership that includes the city's five major medical and academic institutions, the state and JobsOhio.
“MetroHealth is different from most transplant hospitals in that we are able to develop and produce our cellular immunotherapies from A to Z in-house, speeding up delivery of innovative treatments, such as CAR-T therapy production, for both patient treatments and clinical trials," Tse said. "As a result, we are better able to address unmet patient needs and bring therapeutic innovations to our community and beyond.”
Eric Wicklund is the associate content manager and senior editor for Innovation at HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
MetroHealth has opened a new facility aimed at offering the latest in innovative cancer treatments, including CAR-T and TIL therapies.
Cellular immunotherapies are usually offered in large health systems and academic centers, and are thus available only to nearby patients and those with the financial means to travel to a hospital.
The Cleveland-based health system hopes to offer these treatments through its Institute for HOPE to underserved populations and those who struggle to access needed cancer services.