In Oxford, one type of ACT that we provide is called Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell treatment.
CAR T-cell treatment involves modifying your own cells so that they can better recognise and attack cancer.
Not everyone is eligible for this treatment - your local haematology team must refer you to us.
To find out more please read:
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell treatment (pdf) - NSSG - Haematology
CAR T-cell treatment pathway
The CAR T-cell treatment pathway can differ slightly, but broadly speaking these are the steps involved.
Clinic review
We will see you at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, discuss the treatment with you and assess whether you are eligible. A national panel meeting would need to approve your treatment, too.
Apheresis
Apheresis is the process of collecting your T-cells. You will have this done as an outpatient at the John Radcliffe Hospital, usually in one day. The cells are then sent to a manufacturer who will make them into CAR T-cells.
Interim treatment
During the manufacturing period (three to six weeks), you may need treatment to keep on top of your cancer - usually a short course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or steroids alone. This can be done in your local hospital if you do not live in Oxford.
CAR T-cell treatment
This involves around three days of chemotherapy, usually as an outpatient in our Ambulatory Care Unit, to prepare your body to accept to the CAR T-cells.
Afterwards we will admit you to our Clinical Haematology Ward where you will have the infusion of CAR T-cells. You will need to stay on the ward for a time to allow us to monitor you closely for side-effects.
Discharge
You must stay within two hours of the Churchill Hospital for 28 days after the infusion of CAR T-cells, and return to us frequently for blood tests and monitoring. We can support you with accommodation if you do not live in Oxford or Oxfordshire.
Monitoring
After 28 days, you can return home and to your local hospital (if not an Oxford patient) for ongoing blood tests / monitoring.
Follow-up
After your discharge, the ACT Team will keep in touch with you and schedule regular appointments, either telephone appointments or in-person appointments in our clinic.
ACT Clinic
Our clinic takes place on a Tuesday afternoon, in Cancer and Haematology Outpatients, Level 0 at the Churchill Hospital from 1.30pm to 5.00pm.
How to find the Churchill Hospital
Our team
Consultant Haematologists
- Dr Katerina Panopoulou
CAR-T Lead Consultant - Prof Graham Collins
Lymphoma Lead Consultant - Dr Kirsty Sharplin
Cellular Therapies and NHSBT Consultant
Contact us
ACT Coordinator / Specialist Nurse
Kirsten Rendall
ACT Specialist Nurse
Email: advancedcellulartherapies@ouh.nhs.uk
Tel: 07920 183239
ACT Secretary / Pathway Coordinator
Aidan Spinks
Appointment enquiries
Tel: 01865 235185
Email: ClinicalHaematologyAdmin@ouh.nhs.uk
Out of hours support
If you have had CAR T-cell treatment you can access our Triage Assessment Team to speak to a healthcare professional if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms that are worrying you:
Research
We may invite you to take part in an ACT clinical trial. For more information, please visit:
Research - Clinical Haematology
ACT / BMT Senior Research Nurse
Sally Springett
