Big News for Lymphoma Patients: CAR T-Cell Therapy Now Available at Princess Alexandra Hospital in QLD!
We’re excited to share that CAR T-cell therapy is now being offered at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Brisbane, Queensland. This is a major step forward for Australians living with lymphoma.
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy. It uses a patient’s own T-cells – a type of white blood cell, to find and destroy lymphoma cells more effectively.
Here’s how it works:
- Some of your T-cells are removed from your body through a procedure called apheresis. The cells are then sent to a lab.
- In the lab, scientists add a special receptor called a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) to the T-cells – making them CAR T-cells. CARs are man-made proteins designed to find, recognise and stick to lymphoma cells.
- The CAR T-cells are then put back into your body.
- Once inside, they hunt down, stick to, and destroy lymphoma cells.
This treatment has already helped people in QLD at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, and more recently Townsville Hospital. Now, more eligible patients in Queensland can access this life-saving therapy closer to home.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
With Princess Alexandra Hospital now offering the treatment, more lymphoma patients in Queensland have the chance to:
Stay closer to loved ones
Reduce travel and accommodation costs
Receive care from their local cancer teams
Feel more supported during recovery.
Who can have CAR T-cell therapy?
CAR T-cell therapy is not the right treatment for everyone. Some people who might be eligible for CAR T-cell treatment include people with:
- Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
- Transformed Follicular Lymphoma
- Relapsed or Refractory Grade 3b Follicular Lymphoma
- Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
- Children with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).
Ask your Haematologist if CAR T-cell therapy is an option for you.
Where else is CAR T-cell therapy available?
Adults | Children |
Western Australia Fiona Stanley Hospital New South Wales Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Westmead Hospital Victoria Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre The Alfred Hospital Queensland Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Townsville University Hospital Princess Alexandra Hospital | Queensland Queensland Children’s hospital New South Wales Sydney Children’s Hospital Victoria Royal Children’s Hospital The Alfred Hospital |
Some hospitals not listed above may provide CAR T-cell treatment as part of a clinical trial. Ask your doctor if it is available where you are having treatment.
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning. We’re thrilled to see plans moving forward to expand access nationally.
At least 4 other hospitals nationally are currently working towards accreditation to provide this potentially life-saving treatment. We look forward to Royal North Shore and Liverpool Hospital in New South Wales, Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia and the Perth Children’s Hospital becoming accredited CAR T-cell therapy centres in the near future.
Greater access to CAR T-cell therapy means more Australians can benefit from cutting-edge care—no matter where they live.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to advocate for world-class cancer care across the country.
