Intermountain Health has launched the nation's first remote stem cell collection site for CAR-T cell therapy at St. George Regional Hospital, bringing cutting-edge cancer treatment closer to patients in Southern Utah, Nevada, and surrounding regions.
The groundbreaking satellite clinic represents the first time in the United States that CAR-T cell collections are available at a location separate from a primary treatment center. This expansion significantly reduces travel burden for cancer patients who previously had to journey hundreds of miles to Intermountain LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City for collection, transplant, and follow-up care.
"Expanding CAR-T Cell Therapy to Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible, state-of-the-art cancer treatment," said Brad Hunter, MD, medical oncologist and director of the CAR T-cell program at Intermountain LDS Hospital. "This clinic will significantly enhance the quality of care for patients in Southern Utah and beyond our state borders, offering them hope and healing without the need to travel long distances."
How CAR-T Cell Therapy Works
CAR-T cell therapy (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy) is a form of immunotherapy that harnesses the power of a patient's own immune system to fight cancer. The process involves collecting the patient's T cells, which are then genetically reprogrammed to target and destroy cancer cells.
The customized treatment process begins with T cell collection at the new St. George facility. These cells are then sent to a specialized laboratory where they are re-engineered to recognize specific proteins (antigens) on cancer cells. Approximately two to three weeks later, patients travel to Intermountain LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City where the modified cells are infused back into their bloodstream.
Once the re-engineered cells are in the patient's body, they bind to and destroy cancer cells. After confirming the treatment is working, patients can return home with follow-up appointments available closer to their residence.
Patient Experience
Jacqueline, a 68-year-old Las Vegas resident, received CAR-T therapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma last year at Intermountain LDS Hospital and describes the results as "miraculous."
"I could see the back of my throat and see the lymph nodes, so swelled up and then within two weeks of the treatment, all of a sudden, they were just gone. They even scanned me and everything was gone," she said.
Jacqueline and her husband had to travel to Salt Lake City numerous times and stay for a month during her treatment. She notes that the new St. George facility, which is "just down the street" from her home in Las Vegas, will save future patients significant travel time and expense.
Clinical Applications
The FDA has approved CAR-T cell therapy for several hematologic malignancies, including:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- B-cell lymphomas
- Multiple myeloma
"This therapy has shown remarkable success in treating certain types of leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and we're grateful for the chance to make it more accessible," Dr. Hunter explained.
Improving Regional Access to Advanced Cancer Care
The expansion of CAR-T cell therapy to St. George represents a significant advancement in bringing specialized cancer treatments to patients outside major metropolitan areas. For residents of Southern Utah, Nevada, and neighboring states, the new facility reduces travel distances by hundreds of miles, eliminating a significant barrier to accessing this innovative therapy.
The satellite clinic model pioneered by Intermountain Health could serve as a template for other healthcare systems looking to expand access to advanced cellular therapies in underserved regions while maintaining connections to specialized treatment centers for the most complex aspects of care.
As cellular therapies continue to evolve and gain approval for additional cancer types, the St. George facility positions Intermountain Health to rapidly extend these treatment options to patients throughout the region.
