CAR T-Cell therapy for blood cancer

CAR T-cell therapy is offered at only a few cancer centers in the country. It’s an emerging treatment for aggressive blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. CAR T-cell therapy involves taking blood from a patient and isolating the T-cells (disease-fighting immune cells). They are then sent to a lab where they are re-engineered into “fighter” cells. These cells are frozen, returned to the hospital, and infused back into the patient to begin attacking the cancer.

CAR T-Cell therapy for blood cancer

CAR T-cell therapy is offered at only a few cancer centers in the country. It’s an emerging treatment for aggressive blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. CAR T-cell therapy involves taking blood from a patient and isolating the T-cells (disease-fighting immune cells). They are then sent to a lab where they are re-engineered into “fighter” cells. These cells are frozen, returned to the hospital, and infused back into the patient to begin attacking the cancer.

MR-Linac: Two strengths combined into one

MR-Linac is a breakthrough technology that simultaneously generates magnetic resonance images (MRI) and delivers radiation beams. The MR-linac will allow doctors to view tumor tissue more clearly and adapt the radiation dose while a patient is being treated. AHN will be one of the few facilities in the country testing the MR-linac when it becomes available at the new AHN Cancer Institute Academic Center at Allegheny General Hospital in 2020.

MR-Linac: Two strengths combined into one

MR-Linac is a breakthrough technology that simultaneously generates magnetic resonance images (MRI) and delivers radiation beams. The MR-linac will allow doctors to view tumor tissue more clearly and adapt the radiation dose while a patient is being treated. AHN will be one of the few facilities in the country testing the MR-linac when it becomes available at the new AHN Cancer Institute Academic Center at Allegheny General Hospital in 2020.

HIPEC: Directed treatment, application, and prevention

AHN Cancer Institute is one of the few centers in the country treating patients with advanced abdominal cancers using an innovative treatment called Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). The goal of HIPEC is to prevent new cancer growth with strong doses of heated chemotherapy, circulated directly in the abdomen. HIPEC can cause fewer side effects than intravenous chemotherapy. This approach is particularly effective for those with advanced abdominal cancers, as it is meant to kill microscopic cells left behind after surgery.

HIPEC: Directed treatment, application, and prevention

AHN Cancer Institute is one of the few centers in the country treating patients with advanced abdominal cancers using an innovative treatment called Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). The goal of HIPEC is to prevent new cancer growth with strong doses of heated chemotherapy, circulated directly in the abdomen. HIPEC can cause fewer side effects than intravenous chemotherapy. This approach is particularly effective for those with advanced abdominal cancers, as it is meant to kill microscopic cells left behind after surgery.

SBRT: Help manage liver cancer

Approximately 80 percent of patients with liver cancer are not eligible for surgery. SBRT is proven to shrink tumors in patients with inoperable liver cancer. It also works as a bridge to liver transplants. AHN Cancer Institute pioneered the use of SBRT as an option to safely treat these patients.

SBRT: Help Manage Liver Cancer

Approximately 80 percent of patients with liver cancer are not eligible for surgery. SBRT is proven to shrink tumors in patients with inoperable liver cancer. It also works as a bridge to liver transplants. AHN Cancer Institute pioneered the use of SBRT as an option to safely treat these patients.

SBRT also serves as an effective bridge to surgical removal of a tumor, or a liver transplant. Slowing down tumor growth gives transplant-eligible patients more time to wait for a new liver to become available.

Treating brain tumors with Gamma Knife®

Gamma Knife is an effective method for treating certain types of brain tumors. Despite its name, it does not involve a scalpel or incision. Instead, the Gamma Knife uses up to 192 precisely focused beams of radiation at a tumor to shrink it, stop its growth, or eliminate it completely. Because of its pinpoint accuracy, it can be used to treat tumors that are in areas of the brain that are extremely challenging to access.

*Leksell Gamma Knife is a registered trademark of Elekta.

Treating brain tumors with Gamma Knife®

Gamma Knife is an effective method for treating certain types of brain tumors. Despite its name, it does not involve a scalpel or incision. Instead, the Gamma Knife uses up to 192 precisely focused beams of radiation at a tumor to shrink it, stop its growth, or eliminate it completely. Because of its pinpoint accuracy, it can be used to treat tumors that are in areas of the brain that are extremely challenging to access.

*Leksell Gamma Knife is a registered trademark of Elekta.

Determining the genetic basis of tumor growth

Oncologists, genetics experts, and molecular pathologists from AHN and Johns Hopkins comprise the Genetic Alteration in Tumors with Actionable Yields (GAITWAY) Tumor Board. GAITWAY reviews tumor sequencing reports to determines targeted therapies for patients with advanced or rare tumors. Also, AHN Cancer Institute researchers are developing cancer treatments based upon drugs made from DNA. This technique is called “gene therapy.”

Determining the genetic basis of tumor growth

Oncologists, genetics experts, and molecular pathologists from AHN and Johns Hopkins comprise the Genetic Alteration in Tumors with Actionable Yields (GAITWAY) Tumor Board. GAITWAY reviews tumor sequencing reports to determines targeted therapies for patients with advanced or rare tumors. Also, AHN Cancer Institute researchers are developing cancer treatments based upon drugs made from DNA. This technique is called “gene therapy.”

Enhanced precision in brain surgery

AHN uses the Modus V™*, a fully automated robotic digital microscope with a high-powered camera and light source that provides exceptional views of the brain. The Modus V’s features can potentially allow for the use of less-invasive procedures, more rapid recovery, and reduced complications. This novel technology assists surgeons with extreme precision when removing brain tumors.

*Modus V™ is a trademark of Synaptive Medical and is used with permission.

Enhanced precision in brain surgery

AHN uses the Modus V™*, a fully automated robotic digital microscope with a high-powered camera and light source that provides exceptional views of the brain. The Modus V’s features can potentially allow for the use of less-invasive procedures, more rapid recovery, and reduced complications. This novel technology assists surgeons with extreme precision when removing brain tumors.

*Modus V™ is a trademark of Synaptive Medical and is used with permission.

Boosting the immune system’s ability to beat cancer

Immunotherapy improves the immune system’s ability to target cancer cells and stop or slow their growth. AHN Cancer Institute oncologists offer immunotherapy to effectively treat many types of cancer, often in combination with other forms of treatment.

Boosting the immune system’s ability to beat cancer

Immunotherapy improves the immune system’s ability to target cancer cells and stop or slow their growth. AHN Cancer Institute oncologists offer immunotherapy to effectively treat many types of cancer, often in combination with other forms of treatment.

Managing spinal tumors with heat

AHN Cancer Institute oncologists offer OsteoCool™* as a minimally invasive option for patients who need complex spinal reconstruction surgery. OsteoCool uses radiofrequency energy to kill painful spinal tumors. Surgeons make two small puncture incisions and then transmit heat energy into the tumor. This minimally invasive technique has resulted in patients receiving immediate pain relief.

*OsteoCool™ RF Ablation system is a trademark of Medtronic and is used with permission.

Managing spinal tumors with heat

AHN Cancer Institute oncologists offer OsteoCool™* as a minimally invasive option for patients who need complex spinal reconstruction surgery. OsteoCool uses radiofrequency energy to kill painful spinal tumors. Surgeons make two small puncture incisions and then transmit heat energy into the tumor. This minimally invasive technique has resulted in patients receiving immediate pain relief.

*OsteoCool™ RF Ablation system is a trademark of Medtronic and is used with permission.

Meet with our team at the AHN Cancer Institute if you are interested in participating in our cutting-edge treatment, or are interested in our dedication to around-the-clock care.

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