Blood Cancer Program
Making leading-edge hematologic therapies accessible to all patients
City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago is part of one of the largest and most successful hematologic oncology and hematopoietic cell transplantation programs in the country. Our program in Northern Illinois is founded on three and a half decades of expertise in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and benign hematology. Additionally, our hospital is the only location halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago to offer the full spectrum of transplantation services, including autologous and allogeneic transplantation.
Meet Our Team
Our clinical team treats all subtypes of hematologic oncology disorders and have decades of experience with hematopoietic cell transplantation. Additionally, they participate in and are primary investigators for leading-edge hematologic clinical trials and research.
Tulio Rodriguez, M.D.
Director, Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program
Clinical Professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Dr. Rodriguez is an expert in the treatment of multiple myeloma, with over 20 years of experience in hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplantation. He has performed over 2,500 to date and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Neil Dunavin, M.D., M.S.
Hematologic Oncologist
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Dr. Dunavin works closely with patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies, as well as blood disorders. He is an expert in leading-edge treatment options, including stem cell transplantation and immunotherapies.
Jacob D. Bitran, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P.
Hematologic Oncologist
Clinical Professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
A nationally renowned expert with more than 50 years of experience treating hematologic malignancies, Dr. Bitran diagnoses and treats a wide range of blood cancers. Before taking on his current role at City of Hope, Dr. Bitran led a number of transformative blood cancer and stem cell transplant programs in the Chicagoland area.
Marlon Kleinman, M.D.
Hematologist Oncologist
Dr. Kleinman practices at our North Shore location and has more than 25 years of experience in hematology oncology, as well as benign blood disorders. He has lectured and served as a clinical advisor on a wide range of research topics, including liquid biopsies and genetic counseling and risk assessment of hereditary cancer syndromes.
About Our Program
Our longstanding program in Northern Illinois is part of the City of Hope network, which has one of the largest and most successful hematopoietic cell transplantation programs in the country, performing more than 20,000 bone marrow and stem cell transplants. As part of the network, our program pioneers innovations in hematologic cancers, stem cell transplants and chimeric antigen receptor CAR T cell therapy into early stage clinical trials, ultimately translating them into breakthrough treatments.
Our clinical team treats all hematologic malignancies, including leukemias, Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, as well as other hematologic disorders. As the field of hematologic oncology is rapidly changing, our team is proud to be at the forefront of evidence-base treatments and therapies. We offer an array of treatment options, including oral and systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, clinical trials, CAR T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, as well as hematopoietic transplants.
Hematologic cancers we treat:
Our program is intentionally structured to maximize speed to care, with first appointments available at any of our locations in as little as 24 hours. Our clinical team strives to provide updates and communication to referring providers, and as appropriate, collaborate together on longitudinal care.
Stem Cell Transplantation in Northern Illinois
At City of Hope Chicago, we offer the full spectrum of transplantation services, including autologous and allogeneic transplantations. Our program, which is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy, is led by Dr. Rodriguez, who has performed more than 2,500 bone marrow transplant procedures.
Additionally, we are:
- Extending curative bone marrow transplant therapy to more patients, with regimens that capitalize on graft-vs-tumor effect rather than on intense chemotherapy and radiation therapy (available to patients over 70 years of age).
- Breaking the age barrier for transplant candidacy, older patients with acute leukemias and myeloproliferative disorders are evaluated for transplants like their younger counterparts, with the expectation of long-term cure of their bone marrow disorder.
- Offering groundbreaking chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for various forms of lymphomas, relapsed lymphomas affect millions of patients worldwide and recognizing the urgent need for advanced treatment modalities addressing this unmet need, City of Hope Chicago has developed a state-of the art CAR T cell program designated to address this critical gap in care.
As part of the stem cell transplant program, we offer a 15-bed stem cell inpatient unit with full amenities to ensure patients are comfortable and safe while they are onsite for their transplantation. After discharge the patients have the option to stay on-site at the Tower Guest Quarters during the active outpatient follow-up period. Additionally, patients are monitored in a formal follow-up program for long-term effects and given timely interventions should any arise.
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 Chicago has established a streamlined process to collaborate with referring providers, expediting transfer to our hospital and ensuring immediate access to specialized treatment.
Open Chicago-Area Hematologic Oncology Clinical Trials
City of Hope Chicago is dedicated to advancing cancer treatment by leveraging innovative therapies and offering best-in-class clinical trials. As part of this commitment, we are currently enrolling patients for the following hematologic cancers and stem cell transplantation clinical trials at our location in Zion, Illinois.
P-BCMA-ALLO1 Allogeneic CAR T Cells in the Treatment of Subjects With Multiple Myeloma (MM)
- Description: This is a Phase 1 study comprised of open-label, dose escalation, multiple cohorts of P-BCMA-ALLO1 allogeneic T stem cell memory (Tscm) CAR T cells in subjects with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
- Conditions: Multiple myeloma
- Study Sponsor: Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.
- Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT04960579
- Note: At the time the study opened, City of Hope Chicago was the only location in Illinois to offer this trial. Additionally, there are no locations in Wisconsin offering the trial.
A Study of Carmustine With and Without Ethanol in Subjects With Lymphoma
- Description: This is a Phase 2 multicenter study of VI-0609 (ethanol-free carmustine) versus BiCNU (carmustine with ethanol) in the BEAM high-intensity conditioning regimen for autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in subjects with lymphomas.
- Conditions: Lymphoma undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation
- Study Sponsor: VIVUS LLC
- Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT06915246
- Note: At the time the study opened, City of Hope was the only system to offer this trial in the nation.
Study of KITE-363 or KITE-753 in Participants With Relapsed and/ or Refractory B-cell Lymphoma
- Description: The goal of this clinical study is to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of the study drugs, KITE-363 and KITE-753, in participants with relapsed and/or refractory B-cell lymphoma.
- Conditions: Relapsed and/or refractory B-cell lymphoma
- Study Sponsor: Kite, A Gilead Company
- Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT04989803
At the time of study opening, City of Hope Cancer Center is the only location in Illinois to offer this trial. Additionally, there are no locations in Wisconsin, Indiana or Michigan offering the trial.
Refer a Patient to City of Hope
We strive to offer a well-coordinated experience for our referring providers. Upon receiving your referral, our team will immediately begin processing it, with minimal work on your end.
Our Commitment to Clinical Excellence
Our Illinois 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 recognized by:
Latest Blood Cancer News
Dedication to Speed to Care
City of Hope Chicago and our outpatient cancer care locations are intentionally structured to maximize speed to care, with: