Blood Cancer Program

City of Hope^® Cancer Center 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.

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.

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 19,000 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:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Other leukemias
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Plasma cell disorders
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Myeloproliferative neoplasms
• Other hematologic disorders

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.

At City of Hope Cancer Center, 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 and is among fewer than 100 U.S. accredited biorepository programs by the College of American Pathologists, is led by Tulio Rodriguez, M.D., 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, this curative therapy is 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 Cancer Center 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.