Stem Cell Transplantation

Michael Bishop, MD, in the Center for Advanced Medicine — Michael Bishop, MD, leads the adult cellular therapy program at UChicago Medicine and has many years of experience providing safe and effective stem cell transplant treatments.

Stem cell transplant (also known as bone marrow transplant or BMT) is an established cellular therapy for many cancers and blood diseases once considered incurable. For some types of blood diseases, stem cell transplant is the standard of care; for others, it’s only considered if other treatments have been unsuccessful. Today, ongoing advances in stem cell transplant continue to expand its availability and improve outcomes for patients, both young and old.

Leading-Edge Care for Stem Cell Transplant Patients

At the University of Chicago Medicine, we offer the latest approaches in stem cell transplant. Our patients benefit from physicians who are internationally recognized for their expertise and experience in:

Alternative donor transplantation: If you lack a related donor, your options may include haplo-cord transplants — a combination of donated umbilical cord blood stem cells and half-matched (haploidentical) cells from a related donor.
Integrated, disease-specific care: Our physicians specialize in stem cell transplant as well as specific cancer or blood diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Working in collaboration with other experts in their respective field, UChicago Medicine specialists will design a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique characteristics and based on your specific disease’s biology.
Outpatient stem cell transplantation: You may be a candidate for outpatient stem cell transplantation, which offers the full benefits of this life-saving treatment while allowing you to spend nights in the comfort of your own home or a nearby hotel.
Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program: Our collaborative program helps teens navigate their cancer care while still moving forward in their lives.
Stem cell transplant for older adults: We recognize the distinct needs of older patients, so we’ve assembled a multidisciplinary team of stem cell transplant and geriatric oncology experts to design a care program tailored specifically for patients over 60.
Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Clinic: Our GVHD Clinic was created to prevent GVHD in people who have had an allogeneic stem cell transplant and to provide comprehensive, prompt care for those who develop GVHD.

Why Choose Us for Stem Cell Transplant Care?

Dedicated Stem Cell Transplant Unit

Recognized for Excellence and Outstanding Outcomes

The stem cell transplant program at UChicago Medicine is a Blue Cross Center for Distinction and has been named a Center of Excellence by OPTUM, Aetna, Interlink and Cigna. We are fully accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the Center for International Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Research.

Our stem cell transplant program is part of the David and Etta Jonas Center for Cellular Therapy, a leading program for cellular therapy care and research that offers established and emerging treatments, including CAR T-cell therapy, gene therapy and TIL therapy to treat a wide range of diseases such as blood cancers, solid tumors, and autoimmune conditions.

Clinical Trials

Welcoming Patients from Near and Far

Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant

Birthplace of Bone Marrow Transplantation

In the late 1940s, University of Chicago researcher Dr. Leon Jacobson discovered he could save a mouse whose bone marrow and spleen had been destroyed with radiation by transplanting healthy spleen tissue from another mouse. The donated tissue repopulated the marrow and restored production of the blood cells. This groundbreaking work influenced many scientists investigating bone marrow transplant for humans, including the winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Convenient Locations for Cancer Care

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient to the stem cell transplant program, please call 773-702-1994.

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

* Indicates required field

Andrzej Jakubowiak, MD, PhD, and patient in DCAM clinic

Disease-Specific Care for Blood Cancers

Get details about blood cancer diagnosis and treatment at UChicago Medicine.

Wendy Stock, MD, talks with a patient in clinic

Cancer Care Second Opinions

Request a second opinion from UChicago Medicine experts in cancer care.

Get a Second Opinion

Image of physician talking to pediatric cancer patient

Pediatric Cellular Therapies

Our pediatric specialists have extensive experience in stem cell transplantation and other cellular therapies for children, adolescents and young adults.

Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant