UConn Health Starts Advanced CAR-T Cell Therapy Program

September 29, 2026 - 04:53

UConn Health has launched a new CAR-T cell therapy program, bringing a potentially lifesaving treatment for certain blood cancers closer to patients in Connecticut and the surrounding region.

CAR-T cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that uses a patient's own immune cells. Doctors collect T cells from the blood, modify them in a laboratory so they can recognize and attack cancer cells, and then return them to the patient. This approach has shown strong results in some forms of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, especially when other treatments have stopped working.

Until now, many patients in the area had to travel long distances to receive this type of care. The new program at UConn Health aims to change that by offering the treatment locally, reducing the burden on patients and families who often face weeks of travel and recovery away from home.

The program brings together a team of oncologists, nurses, and support staff trained in managing the complex needs of CAR-T patients. This includes monitoring for side effects, which can be serious and require close observation in the days and weeks after infusion.

Hospital leaders say the launch reflects a broader effort to expand access to advanced cancer care in the state. For patients who qualify, the therapy offers another option when standard treatments fail. The program is expected to begin accepting patients in the coming months as referrals and clinical protocols are finalized.