Cellular Therapies

Immune Effector Cells

T-cells, also called T lymphocytes cells, are a type of white blood cell in the immune system that helps protect the body by mounting an immune response to destroy bacteria, fungi, viruses and abnormal cells.

With new technologies T-cells can be engineered to target specific antigens and certain haematological disease.

In August 2019 the NSW Ministry of Health selected Translational sites for leading the delivery of Immune Effector Cell (IEC) treatments. This includes the provision of commercial chimeric antigen receptor T-Cell (CAR T) products targeting ALL and DLBCL.

ACI have been engaged to support the implementation of immune effector cell treatments by centralising the development of:
*Patient information
*Standard operating procedures and auditing processes
*Training resources
We are supporting the streamlined collection and review of outcome data and on-boarding assessments with the pharmaceutical providers.

This field is expanding rapidly internationally with new indications and targets expected in the coming years.

NSW Health Immune Effector Cell Service

Scleroderma

There is increasing evidence for the use of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in severe autoimmune diseases. HSCT is used as a high dose immunosuppression, with haematopoietic stem cell rescue employed as a safe way of delivering chemotherapy with minimal periods of neutropenia. It is hypothesised that reinfused stem cells reconstitute a tolerant immune system and the chemotherapy eradicates the auto-reactive immune clone.

The 2015 HealthPACT report, “Stem Cell Therapy for Non-Haematological (Autoimmune) Indications”, highlights that this is especially true for patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), where trial data has demonstrated autologous HSCT to be an effective treatment.

ACI has collaborated with the NSW Ministry of Health to formalise the recognition of HSCT as a treatment option and to purchase activity to improve access for people with systemic sclerosis.

The ACI has developed a NSW standard protocol with the primary provider St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, conducted patient experience surveys and provides continued third party review of the clinical service.