Welcome to the Stem Cell Transplantation Clinic!

Our clinic specialises in stem cell transplantation and cell-based therapies of haematopoietic malignancies (blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes), bone marrow failure, genetic disorders of haematopoiesis, as well as autoimmune diseases. Under the joint leadership of Prof. Dr. med. Francis Ayuketang Ayuk and Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dipl.-Med. Boris Fehse (research) a high standard of therapy and accompanying diagnostics is ensured with incorporation of the latest technologies.

The treatment programme is based on our extensive experience as one of the largest German and European transplantation centres. We maintain high international quality standards, and we are among the global lead-ers in the field of stem cell transplantation for myelofibrosis, which we are able to successfully perform even in older (70+) patients. 

In this regard, our clinic follows an interdisciplinary approach, and works particularly closely with other institu-tions of the University Cancer Centre Hamburg, with the Institute of Transfusion Medicine, as well as with experts in multiple sclerosis and in other autoimmune disease from various clinics of the UKE.

The focus of the treatment programme is to develop and to implement even more effective strategies to combat malignant diseases, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, myelofibrosis, myelodysplastic syndrome, and bone marrow failure, e.g. aplastic anaemia, genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Here the latest cell-based immuno- and gene therapy approaches, e.g. the CAR T-cell therapy, are implemented.

Our clinical and research focus is based on the following treatment methods:

• Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (from peripheral blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood), ei-ther from related donors or from unrelated donors for treatment of haematological malignancies, bone marrow failure or genetic disorders.
• Low-toxicity treatment protocols for patients with lymphoma, leukaemia, myelodysplasia or myelofi-brosis.
• Prevention and treatment of severe cases of graft-versus-host disease by implementing the use of antiserums and cell therapeutic procedures.
• Development and implementation of new methods for treatment of severe complications of stem cell transplantation.
• Development and implementation of new methods for measuring CAR T cells and their effectiveness after infusion.
• Development and implementation of methods for early detection of disease relapse.
• Donor lymphocyte infusion for treatment or prevention of disease relapse.
• Immunostimulatory strategies after transplantation for the treatment of residual disease and disease relapse.
• Development of in-house gene- and cell therapeutic strategies for malignant and other diseases

The stem cell transplantation and cell-based therapy offer the best treatment options and frequently chances of recovery for many malignancies of the hematopoietic system, as well as for various non-malignant diseas-es. These therapies, however, are also associated with risks. Therefore, they are generally reserved for cases where other treatment options have not been sufficiently effective, or when the chances of success are sig-nificantly higher in comparison to other treatment options. Therefore, a stem cell transplantation or a cell-based therapy will only be recommended to the patient after careful assessment of all options and risks, ac-cording to each individual patients’ anamnesis.

Below you will find some key information about our clinic:

To date, over 4,500 allogeneic transplantations have been performed. Approx. 200 allogeneic transplantations are performed annually, making us one of the three largest centres in Europe.

Approx. 30 allogeneic transplantations are performed annually for myelofibrosis, making us the largest centre in Germany and Europe.

Over 30 autologous stem cell transplantations for multiple sclerosis, making us the largest centre in Germany.

Approx. 40 CAR T-cell therapies annually.

To make your stay at our centre as pleasant as possible, we offer:

Inpatient unit:
Capacity for 40 stem cell transplantation and cell-based therapy patients, of which 32 are private rooms, and 14 in the HEPA-filtered ward.

A specialised outpatient unit for stem cell transplantation and CAR T-cell therapy:
Four examination rooms and four treatment rooms for infusions and blood transfusions.

Our clinic has a team of highly qualified and well-trained staff:

• 24-hour support by experienced medical staff, specialists in internal medicine, specializing in haema-tology and internal oncology with extensive experience in the treatment of patients who had to un-dergo a blood stem cell transplantation or a cell-based therapy.
• Specially trained nursing staff with extensive experience in medical supervision and in caring for pa-tients undergoing stem cell transplantation and cell-based therapies.
• Four transplantation coordinators, who coordinate the medical and social matters, support family and friends of the patients, as well as organise all the necessary testing procedures prior to the transplantation.
• Two psychotherapists, a music therapist, and a social worker who not only support the patients, but also provide emotional and social support to their relatives during the critical transplantation phase.
• Physical therapists who support the patients with breathing, strength, and mobility exercises.

Please direct your treatment request to the UKE International Office.