HCA Healthcare UK expands access to CAR T-cell therapy for blood cancer patients at The Christie Private Care

CAR T-cell therapy has already been successfully delivered within HCA Healthcare UK for certain types of blood cancer, including lymphoma and leukaemia, since 2019. In 2025, HCA UK was one of the first to introduce CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma in London, marking a major step forward in treatment options for patients. 

This latest development sees this innovative therapy extended to The Christie Private Care in Manchester. Building on HCA UK's long-established provision of advanced cancer care across the UK and expanding access to treatment, with The Christie Private Care becoming the only independent provider outside of London to offer the therapy.

CAR T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking form of immunotherapy that harnesses the patient’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. With the potential for long-lasting remission, this cutting-edge treatment offers new hope for eligible patients living with incurable blood cancer. 

CAR T-cell therapy is now available at The Christie Private Care for eligible patients with:

• Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
• Follicular lymphoma (FL)
• Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
• High-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL)
• Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL)
• Multiple myeloma (MM)
• B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL)

How CAR T-cell therapy works

CAR T-cell therapy is a multi-step process that uses the body’s own immune system to target cancer:

• T-cell collection – A patient’s T-cells are collected from their blood
• Genetic modification – In a specialist laboratory, the cells are engineered with receptors that recognise cancer cells
• Cell expansion – The modified cells are multiplied in large numbers
• Reinfusion – The CAR T-cells are infused back into the patient
• Targeted action – The engineered cells seek out and destroy cancer cells

Jane Whitney-Smith, CEO at The Christie Private Care, said:

“We are proud to expand access to CAR T-cell therapy at The Christie Private Care, bringing this highly advanced and personalised treatment to patients across the North of England and beyond. As the only independent provider outside of London currently offering this highly specialised therapy, this milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class cancer care and ensuring that patients have access to the most innovative therapies available.”

Ahmed Abdulgawad, Consultant Haematologist at The Christie Private Care, said:

“CAR T-cell therapy represents a major advancement in the treatment of blood cancers, particularly for patients whose disease has relapsed or is refractory to standard treatments. By harnessing the power of the patient’s own immune system, we can offer a highly targeted approach with the potential for lasting responses. Expanding access to this therapy at The Christie Private Care is an important step forward for patients and clinicians alike. Not only does it provide an opportunity for long term remission, but also as a one-off treatment it allows patients to enjoy a longer treatment free period – with a better quality of life.”

For more information about CAR T-cell therapy at HCA Healthcare UK, visit HCA’s website.