AHN Cancer Institute’s Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy

With blood cancers accounting for nearly 10% of all annual cancer diagnoses in the United States, AHN Cancer Institute (AHNCI)’s Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy provides specialized care for patients with hematologic malignancies and complex classical hematologic disorders.*

Through disease-specific expertise, stem cell transplantation, advanced cellular therapies, and access to innovative clinical trials, AHN serves as a referral destination for patients requiring highly specialized hematologic care.

Highly specialized hematology care

AHN’s Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy is organized around disease-specific expertise, with physicians specializing in defined areas of hematology. This focused model allows patients to be evaluated by clinicians who regularly manage their specific disease type and understand the constantly evolving treatment landscape.

Clinical areas of disease-specific expertise include: 

• Plasma cell disorders such as multiple myeloma and amyloidosis.
• Lymphoma such as B-cell, T-cell, and Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Leukemia and myeloid malignancies such as AML, MDS, and MPN.
• Classical hematology such as anemia, iron deficiency, thrombosis, bleeding disorders, hematologic disorders in pregnancy, and other complex nonmalignant blood disorders.

Referring physicians can rely on timely consultation, collaborative care planning, second opinions, and ongoing communication throughout the management of complex cases.

“Our division is built around disease-specific expertise,” said Prerna Mewawalla, MD, Director of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and Medical Director of Apheresis at AHN Cancer Institute. “That model allows us to offer highly specialized care, advanced treatment options, and close collaboration with referring physicians, while helping patients access care closer to home whenever possible.”

Stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy program

AHN’s Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy is home to a fully accredited, integrated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy program, offering:

• Autologous stem cell transplantation
• Allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy
• Tumor-Infiltrating lymphocyte Therapy (TIL therapy)
• Emerging cellular and immune-based therapies

Backed by more than four decades of transplant experience, AHN has dedicated infrastructure for collection, processing, storage, and support for cellular therapy products. This integrated model includes: 

• Dedicated cell processing laboratory supporting the manufacturing, processing, and management of cellular therapy products across AHN Cancer Institute, AHN Autoimmunity Institute, and AHN Neuroscience Institute.
• Apheresis services, including cell collection and therapeutics.
• FACT-accredited transplant and cellular therapy program, reflecting established standards for quality and safety in cellular therapy.

Additional program affiliations and accreditations include recognition by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), participation in the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), and membership in the Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN).

Clinical research and innovation

AHN’s Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy maintains an active clinical research portfolio with nearly 50 ongoing trials, giving eligible patients access to emerging therapies across the continuum of care. Recent research initiatives include a Phase I TIL therapy trial and multiple investigator-initiated CAR-T studies.

The division collaborates with leading academic and research institutions, including Johns Hopkins Medicine, to support translational discovery and clinical application.

Through its robust clinical trials infrastructure and commitment to scientific discovery, AHN offers referring physicians and eligible patients access to cutting-edge investigational therapies across hematology, transplantation, and cellular therapy.

How to refer

Patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed hematologic malignancies, complex classical hematologic disorders, transplant or cellular therapy needs, or potential eligibility for clinical trials should be referred to AHN’s Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy. Call 412-578-HOPE or make a referral online.