Description
The Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSC) and Cellular Therapies Center at the Candiolo Cancer Institute has been active since 2000. Its mission is to provide patients with safe, personalized, and effective care pathways through strong clinical expertise, dedicated commitment, and a multidisciplinary approach.
Located within the Department of Medical Oncology, the Center operates as an independent unit with a controlled-access system designed to ensure the highest level of patient safety. It includes four single-bed high-intensity care rooms, specifically designed to provide a protected environment during a particularly delicate phase of treatment. Each room is equipped with HEPA filtration, positive pressure systems, and continuous monitoring of humidity, temperature, and air exchanges—essential measures for preventing infections in patients with temporarily compromised immune systems.
The multidisciplinary team is composed of physicians, nurses, biologists with expertise in cell manipulation, laboratory technicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychologists, and clinical specialists. All professionals are highly qualified and share a strong sense of both clinical and human responsibility in supporting patients throughout this complex therapeutic journey.
In line with this integrated approach, the Center is committed to continuous improvement in the quality and safety of care. Over the years, it has achieved significant results in reducing post-transplant complications, particularly graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), contributing to a substantial reduction in treatment-related mortality risk.
In parallel, through ongoing collaboration with immunotherapy and cell therapy laboratories, the Center has further advanced the study of donor immune responses after transplantation, with the aim of better understanding underlying mechanisms and optimizing patient-specific clinical outcomes.
The Candiolo Transplantation and Cell Therapy Center is an integral part of the Turin Metropolitan Transplantation Network. The program is authorized by the National Transplant Center, is JACIE accredited, and ISO certified, ensuring adherence to internationally recognized standards of excellence and quality.
Activities
The Center performs two main types of hematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplantation:
- Autologous transplantation: stem cells are collected from the patient and, after a course of high-dose chemotherapy, are reinfused into the same patient to restore bone marrow function.
- Allogeneic transplantation: stem cells are obtained from a compatible donor, either a family member or, when unavailable, identified through the World Marrow Donor Registry (WMDR).
In addition to transplantation procedures, the Center offers advanced cellular therapies, including CAR-T cell therapy, in which T lymphocytes are genetically engineered to recognize and attack tumor cells, for selected cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma resistant to standard treatments and relapsed forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The Center is also preparing to introduce TIL therapy, based on the isolation, expansion, and reinfusion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to target malignant cells.
Indications for Transplantation and Cellular Therapies
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is indicated for several onco-hematological diseases, including 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 carefully selected cases, transplantation may also be indicated for solid tumors such as germ cell tumors and Ewing’s sarcoma.
CAR-T cell therapy is indicated in specific forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma refractory to first- and second-line therapies, as well as in certain relapsed forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
In autologous transplantation, stem cells are used to reconstitute the bone marrow following high-dose chemotherapy aimed at eradicating cancer cells resistant to standard-dose treatments.
In allogeneic transplantation, in addition to restoring hematopoiesis, donor cells may exert an anti-tumor effect known as the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect, whereby donor immunity contributes to eliminating residual malignant cells.
Preparing for Transplantation
The transplant pathway begins with a comprehensive diagnostic work-up to accurately assess the patient’s condition and define the most appropriate therapeutic strategy. In the pre-admission phase, a strong relationship of trust is established between the patient, family, and medical team—an essential component for treatment success.
During hospitalization, patients are supported not only by physicians and nurses but also by a multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists, nutritionists, and psychologists. The Center also provides dedicated comfort facilities such as a kitchen, living area, and internet access to improve the patient experience.
After discharge, patients remain under the Center’s care through a dedicated day hospital program, with initially intensive follow-up that is gradually reduced based on clinical evolution. The ultimate goal of the Transplantation Center is to enable each patient to return to the highest possible level of normal daily life, while maintaining continuous, structured clinical support.
Contacts
- Management and ordinary hospitalization: 4th floor
- Day hospital: ground floor
- Outpatient clinics: 1st floor
How to book
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