We are proud to share a groundbreaking moment in cancer treatment for the Capital Region and for our practice! On April 1, 2025, New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH) administered the first-ever commercial CAR-T cell therapy to a local patient at our Cell Therapy Suite located within Albany Medical Center. This milestone marks a significant advancement in personalized cancer care, allowing patients to receive this cutting-edge treatment close to home.
What is CAR-T Therapy?
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy is a revolutionary form of immunotherapy that harnesses a patient’s own immune cells to target and destroy cancer. The process begins with collecting a patient’s T-cells, which are then re-engineered in a lab to better recognize and attack cancer cells. Once infused back into the patient, these modified T-cells multiply and remain active in the body, offering a potent and long-lasting defense against the disease.
While this treatment has been life-changing for many patients, access has historically been limited. Previously, those needing CAR-T treatment had to travel to major medical centers in cities like New York, Boston, or Buffalo. Now, thanks to our team’s leadership, patients can receive this therapy right here in Albany, avoiding the burden of extended stays away from home.
NYOH’s Role in Advancing CAR-T Therapy
NYOH has been at the forefront of CAR-T research, serving as a practice site for clinical trials that helped pave the way for the approval of this innovative therapy. Our participation in these trials contributed to the evidence supporting CAR-T’s effectiveness and ability to administer in a community oncology setting, ultimately making it more widely available to patients. By bringing this therapy into our practice, we continue our commitment to advancing cancer care and expanding access to groundbreaking treatments.
Expanding Access, Reducing Burden: The Impact of Local CAR-T Therapy
CAR-T therapy requires careful monitoring, as patients can experience serious side effects in the weeks following treatment. Patients must be observed closely for at least 30 days to manage potential complications such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurological effects. By offering CAR-T locally, we ensure that our patients receive the highest level of care while remaining in their own community, close to their families and support systems.
Beyond the medical benefits, the financial impact of having CAR-T therapy available in Albany is significant. Previously, patients had to travel to larger institutions in New York City, Boston, or Buffalo, often requiring extended stays away from home. These additional travel and lodging costs created a financial burden for many families. By bringing this treatment to NYOH, we are making CAR-T more accessible and reducing the stress that comes with seeking care far from home.
A Team Effort in Bringing CAR-T to NYOH
Bringing CAR-T therapy to NYOH has been a team effort made possible by the vision and dedication of our medical leaders. Dr. Courtney Bellomo, our Director of Stem Cell, played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for our Stem Cell and Cellular Therapy program. Our team continues to advance patient-centered cancer care alongside Dr. Stephen Wrzesinski, Director of Immuno-Oncology and Cellular Therapy, and Dr. Mihir Raval, an Oncologist/Hematologist subspecializing in Stem Cell Transplants.
“This is a defining moment for cancer treatment in the Capital Region,” said Dr. Wrzesinski. “For the first time, our patients can receive this revolutionary therapy without leaving their community. We are proud to bring the future of cancer care to our patients at NYOH.”
Dr. Raval added, “CAR-T therapy represents a new frontier in oncology. Seeing a local patient receive this treatment for the first time is an incredible milestone—not just for NYOH but for the entire region. This is the level of care our community deserves.”
Local Media Recognizes This Historic Milestone
This momentous occasion has not gone unnoticed. Local media outlets visited our Cell Therapy Suite to report on this significant development for cancer treatment in the region.
As we continue to lead the way in innovative cancer treatments, this achievement reinforces our commitment to making the most advanced therapies accessible to patients in the Capital Region. CAR-T therapy is just one example of how NYOH is transforming cancer care—ensuring that hope, healing, and cutting-edge medicine are never far from home.
Links to View Media Coverage
Print Media
- Daily Gazette/Leader-Herald: Broadalbin Man Receives Groundbreaking Cancer Treatment 🔗
TV Media
- WTEN: First local patient receives groundbreaking cancer therapy 🔗
- WNYT: New York Oncology Hematology offering groundbreaking cancer treatment 🔗
Radio
(Outlets with no online links: Spectrum News and WRGB/CBS6)