Cellular Therapy Initiative

Cancer therapies have improved dramatically over the last several years, due to the development and discovery of novel therapies resulting from the science and research conducted at AACI cancer centers. Among these are chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapies and tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy.

The AACI Cellular Therapy Initiative (CTI) facilitates collaboration between subject matter experts at AACI’s member centers through meetings, webinars, and various working group and task force projects. As the field continues to grow and novel treatments are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the mission of CTI is to provide a forum where AACI cancer center CTI leaders can collect, evaluate, and share best practices that promote the efficient and effective operation of cellular therapy programs.

The Cellular Therapy Initiative Steering Committee helps guide the implementation of cellular therapy programs at AACI member centers across North America.

Chair

RECUR Initiative

The RECUR initiative is a collaboration among the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), AACI, and the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), aimed at revolutionizing the evaluation process for CAR T therapy to ensure timely and personalized care.

Through the RECUR initiative, ASTCT, AACI, and ACCC aim to empower oncologists, health care professionals, and patients alike with an understanding of the factors necessary for successful CAR T therapy, and the importance of early and timely referral for consultation with a center with expertise. By streamlining the efficiency of the referral process and fostering collaboration among medical experts, this initiative seeks to enhance patient outcomes and expand access to life-saving treatments.

Press release: ASTCT, AACI, and ACCC Launch RECUR Initiative to Enhance Patient Access to CAR T Therapy
 

AACI Initiative at the Forefront of Cellular Therapeutics Revolution

By Peter Riedell, MD, and Joseph McGuirk, DO, FACP

Recent advances in the field of immunotherapy have helped to firmly establish this treatment approach as the “fifth pillar” of cancer care, alongside surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy. Acknowledging the continued development and expansion of novel cellular therapeutics, AACI recently renamed its CAR T Initiative the Cellular Therapy Initiative (CTI). 

Read the June 2024 Commentary