Description
The Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSC) and Cellular Therapies Center at IRCCS Candiolo has been in operation since 2000. The Center’s mission is to offer patients safe, personalized and effective care pathways by providing clinical expertise, absolute dedication and a multidisciplinary approach.
The center is located within the department of Oncology Medical but operates as an autonomous facility with a controlled access system to ensure maximum patient safety. It has four single high-intensity care rooms designed to ensure a protected environment at a particularly sensitive stage of treatment. Each room is equipped with HEPA filters, positive pressure, and continuous control of humidity, temperature, and air changes, indispensable measures to prevent infection in patients with temporarily compromised immune systems.
The multidisciplinary team includes physicians, nurses, biologists experienced in cell manipulation, laboratory technicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, psychologists, and clinical specialists. All are highly qualified and united by a deep awareness of the professional and human responsibility involved in accompanying the patient through such a complex and challenging journey.
Consistent with this integrated vision, the Center aims for continuous improvement in the quality and safety of care.
Over the years, it has achieved important results in reducing post-transplant complications, particularly GVHD (transplant versus host disease), thus contributing to a significant decrease in mortality risk.
In parallel, through ongoing collaboration with the immunotherapy and cell therapy laboratories, the Center has deepened its study of the donor’s immune response after transplantation, with the goal of understanding the mechanisms and further optimizing clinical outcomes for each patient.
The Candiolo Transplantation and Cell Therapy Center is an integral part of the Turin Metropolitan Transplantation Center. The program is licensed by the National Transplant Center, JACIE accredited and ISO certified, guarantees international excellence and quality.
Activities
The Center performs hematopoietic (i.e., blood) stem cell transplants of two types:
- Autologous: stem cells are collected from the patient himself and, after a course of high-dose chemotherapy, are reinfused to him;
- allogeneic: the cells come from a matched donor, which can be a family member or, if not available, is identified through the World Donor Registry (WBMDR).
In addition to transplants, the Center offers advanced cell therapies, such as CAR-T cell therapy (lymphocytes made specific toward a specific plaque expressed by the tumor), for certain types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma resistant to traditional therapies and for relapsing forms of lymphoblastic leukemia.
TIL therapies, in which lymphocytes infiltrating the patient’s tumor are selected and expanded before being reinfused to act against the malignancy, will also be introduced.
When transplantation is indicated
Transplants are performed in patients with onco-hematologic diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes,myeloproliferative diseases, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bone marrow aplasias, some forms of hemoglobinopathies.
In selected cases, transplantation may also be indicated for solid tumors such as germ cell tumors, Ewing’s Sarcoma.
CAR-T cell therapy finds indication in certain types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma resistant to first- and second-line therapies and in some forms of relapsed lymphoblastic leukemia.
In autologous transplantation, stem cells are used to regenerate bone marrow after a high-dose chemotherapy cycle that can eliminate cancer cells resistant to standard doses.
In allogeneic transplantation, in addition to reconstructing the hematopoietic system, donor cells can also help fight the tumor through a mechanism called Graft Versus Tumor Effect, that is, the curative effect of donor immunity.
How to prepare for transplantation
The transplant pathway begins with a series of diagnostic tests, necessary to understand the patient’s condition in detail and plan the most appropriate therapy. In the period leading up to admission, a relationship of trust is established between the patient, family, and medical team, which is crucial to the success of treatment.
During hospitalization, in addition to physicians and nurses, the patient is followed by other specialized health care professionals, including physical therapists, nutritionists, and psychologists. The center also offers practical facilities, such as a kitchen, living room and Internet connection, to improve patient comfort.
Even after discharge, the patient is followed by the Center, through a dedicated day hospital, with initially intensive follow-up that gradually decreases according to clinical condition. The ultimate goal of the Transplant Center is for each patient to be able to return to lead as normal a life as possible, while always maintaining an unwavering commitment to care and assistance.
Contact
- Management and ordinary hospitalization: 4th floor
- Day hospital: ground floor
- Outpatient clinics: 1st floor
How to book
Find out all the ways you can access services through the National Health Service, privately and behind health funds and insurance coverage.
