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Get the best medical care at our Centres of Excellence
All of our hospitals within the group meet the highest global standards, standing out with our Centres of Excellence. They include 11 Cancer Centres (surgical, radiotherapy, chemotherapy), 16 Heartcare Centres (pediatric, adult cardiology and cardiac surgery), 14 In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Centres, 10 Organ Transplant Centres (liver, kidney, bone marrow), 10 Spine Specialist Centres, 3 Sports Medicine Centres (accredited by FIFA) and 6 Robotic Surgery Centres; all of which are nationally and internationally accredited and qualified centres as they all contain the most state-of-the-art advanced medical technologies, equipment and highly qualified experts, that have significant experience in their specific fields.
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Our JCI-Accredited Hospitals
Acibadem began its journey in healthcare services as a small neighbourhood hospital in 1991 at a district of Istanbul, Turkiye. Today, Acibadem is a super brand which has taken its rightful place amongst the global healthcare leaders, with its 24 hospitals, 16 outpatient clinics and supporting service companies. Acibadem’s rapid growth led to the signing of a joint partnership with IHH Healthcare in 2012 which enabled us to be a part of the world’s second largest healthcare chain.
ACIBADEM Maslak Hospital
ACIBADEM Altunizade Hospital
ACIBADEM Ataşehir Hospital
ACIBADEM Taksim Hospital
ACIBADEM Atakent Hospital
ACIBADEM Bodrum Hospital
What is CAR T-Cell Therapy
T cells are good at fighting infection. But it can be difficult for them to tell the difference between a cancer cell and a normal cell. So the cancer cells can hide away and not be recognised.
Scientists are trying to find ways to get T cells to recognise cancer cells. One possible way to do this might be CAR T-cell therapy.
How does it work?
Your medical team take a sample of T cells from your blood. This process is called apheresis.
In the lab, they change the T cells. You might hear this called genetically engineering the T cell. The T cell is now a CAR T-cell. CAR stands for chimeric antigen receptor. These CAR T-cells are designed to recognise and target a specific protein on the cancer cells.
These changed T cells grow and multiply in the lab. Once there are enough cells you have a drip containing these cells back into your bloodstream. The aim is for the CAR T-cells to then recognise and attack the cancer cells.
The changes they make in the lab mean that they can stay in your body for long periods of time, recognising and attacking the specific cancer cells. Researchers are still looking into how long they might stay in the body.
CAR T-cell therapy is a very complex and specialist treatment. With this treatment, a specialist collects and makes a small change to your T cells. After a few weeks, you have a drip containing these cells back into your bloodstream.
Unlocking Healing with
CAR T-Cell Therapy
The realm of cancer treatment has been revolutionized by the advent of CAR-T cell therapy—an immunotherapy that is redefining the battle against malignancies. This promising form of adoptive cell therapy was heralded as the ‘Breakthrough of the year’ by Science in 2013 for its seminal role in cancer immunotherapy. By levering the body’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells, CAR-T cell therapy stands out as a personalized treatment transforming patient outcomes.
Since 2013, remarkable strides have been made in the advancement of CAR-T cell therapy. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2014 illuminated the technology’s potential in achieving sustained remissions in leukemia patients, propelling it forward in the oncological arsenal. Following years deepened our understanding, with studies recommending the therapeutic applications of CAR-T in tackling various cancers, including aggressive lymphomas.
Understanding the Basics of CAR T-Cell Therapy
The innovation of CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized cancer immunotherapy by utilizing autologous T cells — a patient’s own immune cells — reprogrammed to attack cancer cells through a construct known as the chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR. This complex yet highly targeted therapy represents a new chapter in precision medicine, offering hope to those battling certain aggressive types of cancer.
Statistics indicate significant progress in the field, but also highlight the scarcity and challenges in the deployment of this cutting-edge treatment. While cancer centers offering CAR-T cell therapy are limited—with 8 facilities in England for adults, 9 for children, and only one each in Wales and Scotland—the impact of successful treatments is noteworthy. ACIBADEM offers this treatment as the largest cancer center in Europe.Specifically, children up to the age of 25 diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-cell ALL) have treatment guidelines available, suggesting CAR-T can be a beacon of hope when standard therapies have fallen short.
The clinical efficacy is evident with approximately 200 adults annually receiving this therapy for certain lymphomas in England. The guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) have paved the way for precise, life-altering treatments that harness the power of immunotherapy in combating specific patient groups’ malignancies.
Known side effects such as allergic reactions, cytokine-release syndrome, neurological issues, an increased risk of infections, and high uric acid levels due to tumor lysis underscore the need for continuous monitoring and management of those undergoing therapy.
Patients' Experiences with CAR T-Cell Therapy at Acibadem
Within the walls of Acibadem, a story of healing and hope unfolds as patients and caregivers engage with personalized healthcare journeys, markedly shaped by the dedicated peer ambassador support intervention.
Car-t cell therapy experiences at Acibadem are not just about progressive treatments but about addressing the nuanced challenges of recovery and adaptation. Acibadem’s response is reflective of its overall ethos: responding to emerging needs with education, as displayed by their highly acclaimed digital education pathway that has enlightened over 1040 allogeneic transplant patients across the world about their health.
Options for severe patients: We offer the most advanced immunotherapy options. So we often help patients who may have had unsuccessful treatment elsewhere.
Advance research: ACIBADEM was one of the first to develop CAR T cell therapies and continues to lead the field in research and clinical trials.
Experienced Team: Our physicians and nurses have extensive experience with CAR T cell therapy. We understand what therapies can work in your individual case. And we can detect potential side effects and complications early for prompt intervention.
Personalized Treatment and Education: Treatment decisions are complex and personal. Our physicians and nurse navigators will take time to educate you about the specific treatments that can help you and their risks. We’ll answer any questions you may have and make sure you’re prepared.
Evaluating Candidate Suitability for
CAR-T Cell Therapy
The innovation behind T cell engineering and car t cell immunotherapy ensures stringent suitability assessments prior to therapy commencement. As a leading entity in providing advanced care, Acibadem Hospitals recognize that the critical evaluation of candidates is an intensive process. Children and young adults up to the age of 25 with B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), alongside adults grappling with various forms of lymphoma, such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma, are the primary candidates recommended for CAR T-cell therapy. This decision is made only after considering the substantial capacity of the healthcare system, which includes 8 centers in England for adults and 9 for children, along with the single centers located in Wales and Scotland for adult treatment.
Considering the delicacy of car t cell immunotherapy and its propensity for side effects that can range from allergic reactions to cytokine-release syndrome, meticulous post-treatment monitoring for a fortnight is obligatory. Evaluating the eligibility of multiple myeloma patients for BCMA CAR T-cell therapy adds an additional layer of complexity, with a stark waiting list that validates the demand surpassing the sparse monthly treatment slots.
In the spirit of optimizing patient outcomes and extending the scope of cancer immunotherapy, research and prioritization are vital. Dr. Lin’s findings underscore the pertinence of discerning those who would benefit most manifestly from CAR T-cell therapy, thereby maximizing the impact of such advanced treatments within the realm of T cell engineering. Acibadem Hospitals and similar institutions are confronted with the pressing need to not only expand manufacturing suites and increase the supply of critical resources but to also pioneer accelerated manufacturing processes and adopt long-term measures like the integration of nonviral vectors and the exploration of allogeneic off-the-shelf CAR T cells.
Our Doctors
Acibadem International is a one-stop international patient centre that serves medical and healthcare tourists. At Acibadem, we always strive for excellence and aim to make the highest quality medical care and treatments accessible, convenient and reassuring for thousands of international patients who visit Turkey every year.
Prof. Siret RATİP M.D.
Prof. Ercüment OVALI M.D.
About Us
Why ACIBADEM Health Point?
Acibadem Health Point is a one-stop international patient centre that serves medical and healthcare tourists. At Acibadem, we always strive for excellence and aim to make the highest quality medical care and treatments accessible, convenient and reassuring for thousands of international patients who visit Turkey every year.
From the moment patients arrive at Istanbul Airport until they return home, the Acibadem team is by their side. It begins with the Acibadem Health Point lounge at the airport, where we provide a free internet service for international patients while they wait to be escorted to their hospital or hotel transfer.
At Acibadem, our patients are also entitled to personal interpreters and given discounts for additional services and treatments. This helps support our patients throughout their healthcare journey in Turkey.
- A healthcare organisation with highest global standards and quality
- The most comprehensive treatments, operations and patient care
- Doctors and Hospitals of the highest calibre, equipped with the most latest state-of-the-art medical equipment and technologies
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Will This Work For My Type of Cancer?
The FDA-approved conditions for CAR-T cell therapy include:
B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) happens when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infection. Too many B-lymphocytes can accumulate in the blood and bone marrow and crowd out other healthy blood cells, leading to anemia and low platelet counts, and making it harder for your body’s immune system to fight off infections like colds and pneumonia. This is the most frequently diagnosed subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and adults.
Adult Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). NHL is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes Open a glossary . It is a cancer of the lymphatic system Open a glossary. DLBCL is fast growing (high grade). You have treatment soon after diagnosis. Treatment usually includes chemotherapy Open a glossary together with a targeted drug Open a glossary called rituximab. Doctors call this chemoimmunotherapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma
Primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBL) is an aggressive B cell lymphoma that is thought to arise from thymic (medullary) B cells. It has clinicopathologic features that are distinct from systemic diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and shares some clinical and biologic features with nodular sclerosing classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare type of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Lymphoma develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control. They move around your body in your blood and your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an important part of our immune system. It has tubes that branch through all parts of the body. These tubes are called lymph vessels or lymphatic vessels and they carry a straw coloured liquid called lymph. This liquid circulates around the body tissues. It contains a high number of white blood cells (lymphocytes) which fight infection.
Follicular Lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma is the most common type of of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It develops when white blood cells cluster together to form lumps in your lymph glands or organs. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be fast growing (high grade) or slow growing (low grade).
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies find and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft matter inside bones where blood cells are made. In the bone marrow, the cancer cells crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than make helpful antibodies, the cancer cells make proteins that don’t work right. This leads to complications of multiple myeloma.
Acibadem Articles of Knowledge and Information
Monitoring and Managing After
CAR T-Cell Therapy
The landscape of immunotherapy is perpetually evolving, with CAR-T cell therapy standing out as a revolutionary cell-based immunotherapy for treating various forms of cancer. After the delivery of CAR T cells, vigilant monitoring is vital to assuring the therapy’s efficacy and managing potential risks. It requires an intricate understanding of the clinical process, including toxicity grading recommendations for safety evaluation and monitoring during CAR T cell therapy. Patients may exhibit side effects ranging from fever and confusion to speech difficulties, which can signal cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or neurotoxicity, underlying the importance of a careful and immediate response to these symptoms.
CD19-targeted CAR T cells illustrate this potential through their remarkable complete response rates in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with 71-81%, but also their long-term implications such as persistent cytopenias and hypogammaglobulinemia. Comprehensive guidance on long-term follow-up after therapy is thus indispensable, particularly considering severe infections have a low incidence occurring >1 month post-infusion. Catering to these meticulous demands involves a rigorous review of the treatment plan, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics considerations to tailor the clinical approach to each patient’s unique circumstances.
The journey of CAR-T cell therapy extends far beyond the hospital room. It encompasses a myriad of stages from CAR T cell manufacturing to the essential inclusion of pediatric subjects in clinical studies, informing the future of this method and its adaptability for younger patients. However, the tapestry of care also weaves in the practicality and affordability of therapy. As such, it is imperative for the medical community to critically assess the outcome metrics to ensure the sustenance and scalability of CAR T cell immunotherapy, especially in the face of its inherent resource-intensive nature.
Contact ACIBADEM Health Point
Acibadem Health Point is a one-stop international patient center that serves medical and healthcare tourists. Acibadem began its journey in healthcare services as a small neighbourhood hospital in 1991 at a district of Istanbul, Turkiye. Today, Acibadem is a super brand which has taken its rightful place amongst the global healthcare leaders, with its 24 hospitals, 16 outpatient clinics and supporting service companies. Acibadem’s rapid growth led to the signing of a joint partnership with IHH Healthcare in 2012 which enabled us to be a part of the world’s second largest healthcare chain.
