Blood Cancer Program
Making leading-edge hematologic therapies accessible to all patients
About Our Program
The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy (HSCT/CT) Program at City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta focuses on breakthrough treatments for all hematologic malignancies, offering access to innovative therapies and clinical trials.
Our team of skilled physicians and advance practice providers focus on reducing treatment side effects and improving patient outcomes using leading-edge transplant methods. Our program is structured to encourage collaboration through regularly scheduled tumor boards, where each patient is reviewed and benefits from the expertise of hematologic malignancy and transplant experts from across our national cancer care system.
City of Hope has become known for:
- Extending curative bone marrow therapy (BMT) to more patients with regimens that capitalize on graft-versus-tumor effect rather than on intense chemotherapy and radiation, this curative therapy can be available to more patients
- Breaking the age barrier for BMT candidacy for older patients with hematologic malignancies, myelodysplasia and myeloproliferative disorders are evaluated for BMT like their younger counterparts, with the expectation of long-term cure of their bone marrow disorder
- Leading the way in cellular therapies with the forefront of the application of bispecific antibodies, City of Hope was a contributing organization to the first FDA approved BiTE treatment and among the first to utilize CAR T-cell therapy as a bridge to stem cell transplant
- Increasing access to advanced therapies for patient groups experiencing significant health disparities to make hope a reality for those facing devastating gaps in cancer treatment and outcomes based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and more.
Meet Our Experts
Our clinical team treats all subtypes of hematologic oncology disorders and have extensive experience with cellular therapy and hematopoietic cell transplantation. Additionally, they have participated in and served as principal and primary investigators for leading-edge hematologic clinical trials and research.
Sabarish Ram Ayyappan, M.D.
Medical Director of Cellular Therapies
Hematologist
Dr. Ayyappan is medical director of cellular therapies and oversees the bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy programs. He treats a wide range of blood cancers and has served as principal investigator on numerous trials in the field of hematologic malignancies.
Leslie L. Popplewell, M.D.
Chief of Hematology
Hematologist
Dr. Popplewell serves as chief of hematology. Her research work focuses on developing new treatment options for lymphoma using CAR T cell therapies and advanced transplant techniques for patients with recurrent lymphoma.
Referral Quick Links
We strive to offer a well-coordinated experience for our referring providers. Upon receiving your referral, our team will immediately begin processing the referral, with minimal work on your end.
Address
600 Celebrate Life Parkway
Newnan, GA 30265
Institutional Distinctions
Delivering tomorrow's advances in cancer care to those who need them today
- One of the world's largest and most successful bone marrow and blood stem cell transplant programs
- More than 19,000 bone marrow and stem cell transplants performed and recognized as the only cancer center nationwide to exceed outcome expectations for patients for 15 consecutive years
- Instrumental in developing T cell engager protocols, including the first FDA approved bispecific antibody treatment and the first to utilize CAR T-cell therapy as a bridge to stem cell transplant
- First to offer CAR T trials targeting CD123 in acute myeloid leukemia and use CAR T cell therapy to treat patients with the rare disease blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
- Expertise with rare lymphoma subtypes, including peripheral T cell lymphoma, double-hit B cell lymphomas and AIDS-related lymphomas
- The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research has ranked City of Hope as an “overperforming” transplant center
Dedicated Center for Hematologic Malignancies
The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy (HSCT/CT) Program offers a dedicated multidisciplinary team that blends innovative research discoveries with superior clinical treatments. As hematologic diseases may frequently be treated by multiple modalities, there is deliberate collaboration among physicians and advanced practice providers to optimize clinical outcomes. The result is improved outcomes for patients with various hematologic malignancies and other blood disorders.
Our Services & Offerings
Our physicians and clinical experts diagnose and treat a variety of types and stages of hematologic cancers, including relapsed or refractory disease.
Code Acute Leukemia™: Prompt and Streamlined Treatment for Acute Leukemia
Given the urgency and complexity of care required for patients who present to the emergency department and urgent care facilities with signs suggestive of acute leukemia, City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta has established a streamlined process to collaborate with referring providers, expediting transfer to our hospital and ensuring immediate access to specialized treatment.
Our Commitment to Clinical Excellence
Our Atlanta program offers a dedicated multidisciplinary team that blends innovative research discoveries with superior clinical treatments. The result is improved outcomes for patients with various blood cancers, blood abnormalities and other hematologic disorders. Additionally, our program is:
News about City of Hope Atlanta
Dedication to Speed to Care
City of Hope Cancer Center and our outpatient cancer care locations are intentionally structured to maximize speed to care, with: