CAR T-cell Therapy for Your Patients
The University of Kansas Cancer Center is one of only a few centers to offer all FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies, a precision cancer treatment offering new potential to cure cancer and save lives. We are the region’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, 1 of fewer than 60 nationwide. In addition to world-class care, patients have access to clinical trials, providing early access to new treatment.
CAR T-cell therapy is FDA-approved for multiple hematologic malignancies. You should consider referral for patients who may fall within any of these categories:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
If you believe your patient falls into one of these categories, even if not definitively confirmed, it is important to refer early. Our team is available to discuss borderline cases and help determine eligibility.
Ensure eligible patients can access CAR T-cell therapy
Joseph McGuirk, DO, Division Director, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapies:
"Any delays in accessing CAR T therapy is a threat to the patient's wellbeing. On our end in the treatment centers, such as The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we have a can-do team that is really topflight. We have patients from multiple states. We serve patients from many hundred miles away and about 5 different states: the entire state of Kansas and half of Missouri, for example. We can get patients in here from that large area in 24 hours. We can have them collect cells for genetic engineering in 48 to 72 hours. Those hours and days matter."
"My team members are used to me being on my soapbox saying hours and days matter for these patients. We need to make sure that our referring physician colleagues and their teams - their nurse practitioners, physician assistants and their nurses - all understand that those hours and days matter. They also need to understand that these are potentially curative therapies. These therapies with CAR T, and the number of blood cancers that now have FDA approval, is with the intent of curing the patient of their disease."
The best care for your patients.
Nurse navigation is here to help. Call 913-588-3671 to refer.
Access-to-care barriers
While CAR T-cell therapy is FDA-approved and widely recognized, eligible patients often do not have access or early referrals. We will work with you and your patients to overcome access-to-care barriers to ensure eligible patients can be treated.
Geographical barriers
Published data show the farther the distance a patient is from a CAR T-cell therapy treatment center, the less likely they are to receive it. For patients located in rural and underserved communities, it may feel daunting to travel, especially when sick, to a specialized center in an urban environment. So that distance does not determine outcomes, the University of Kansas Cancer Center will work with you and your patient to coordinate evaluations, travel guidance and seamless handoffs.
Socio-economic barriers
Lodging, transportation, caregiver coverage and daily expenses create silent blockers that can derail care before clinical decisions are even made. Our financial navigation and social work teams proactively address needs so patients can move forward with care.
Payment barriers
The cost of treatment is top of mind for most patients. Fortunately, private insurance universally covers CAR T-cell treatment. Additionally, our team partners with payors and referring offices to streamline authorization and remove cost related uncertainty early in the process.
What happens after you refer?
When you refer patients to The University of Kansas Cancer Center hematologic malignancies and cellular therapies (HMCT) program, you can anticipate coordinated and timely action.
You can expect:
- Same- or next-day intake by disease-specific nurse navigation (often within 24 hours).
- Multidisciplinary evaluation and records review.
- Cell collection scheduled within days, with bridging therapy as needed.
- Infusion with close monitoring and toxicity management.
- Return to you with ongoing co-management and clear follow-up plans.
Throughout the referral process, our nurse navigators will coordinate between your clinic and our specialists to make sure you and your patient receive timely updates, results and next steps.
Why The University of Kansas Cancer Center?
- The region’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, 1 of fewer than 60 nationwide.
- Among the world’s first providers of FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy and one of only a few centers to offer all FDA-approved CAR T-cell treatments.
- The region’s largest and most experienced blood and marrow transplant and cellular therapeutics program.
- Broad array of cell therapy clinical trials for many cancers, including hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
- Patients treated at NCI-designated cancer centers have a 25% greater chance of survival than patients treated at other cancer centers.
- Having cancer isn’t easy, affordable or convenient, so we offer support for our patients and families, connecting you with necessary resources, including nurse navigators, financial counselors, social workers, onco-psychologists, dietitians and scheduling assistance.
How to refer a patient
Next step: Call 913-588-3671.
Nurse navigation is here to help you and your patient navigate access and overcome barriers to this lifesaving treatment.
Our oncology-trained, disease-specific nurse navigators are experts in their field who support patients every step of the way. Additionally, nurse navigators coordinate care between you and our specialists – ensuring your care team promptly receives the records and results they need.
To make a referral or ask questions, call 913-588-3671.
Our concierge services
The physician relations team is a single, centralized point of contact for:
- Meeting coordination between you and our specialists
- Information on specialized programs and services for your patients
- Grand rounds virtual series, CME and other educational opportunities
- Clinical trial information
- Addressing questions and concerns, meeting ongoing needs and working collaboratively
Contact physician relations
Our goal is to support referring physicians. We welcome your request for a visit anytime. Contact the physician relations team at PhysicianRelationsTeam@KUMC.edu.