Services & Specialties
Bone Marrow Transplant

Makenzie visits with her care team for a check-on appointment, Friday, July 19, 2024, at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

International Leader in Bone Marrow Transplantation

The Bone Marrow Transplantation Program specializes in the treatment of multiple disease types. Our multidisciplinary team has performed more than 2,200 hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) since the program was founded in 1986. Currently the program averages 100 transplants each year, making us one of the largest programs in the United States. Our researchers have created exciting and new HSCT approaches for many rare diseases. Cincinnati Children’s continues to be recognized by the international community as a center for excellence.

Innovative Approach

We offer therapies and techniques that are not widely available. For example, we have extensive experience in the use of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens, a transplant procedure that offers lower doses of chemotherapy, which can offer improved outcomes in very high-risk patients. We have pioneered the application of this RIC approach to diseases such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a pro-inflammatory condition that carries significant life-threatening risks. Additionally, we have partnered with industry to create new treatment options that allow many children with HLH to reach HSCT for an ultimate cure.

We are currently aggressively expanding approaches that provide children with virus-specific T-cell (VST) therapy in immunocompromised patients that prevent and treat infections after HSCT. We are developing new strategies to prevent and treat transplant-related complications such as graft-versus-host disease. Some of these strategies are not available at any other institution. These are some examples of why our transplant program has fast become an epicenter for the international transplant community.

The program is certified by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy for its high-quality patient care and laboratory performance.

Support for Families

The Bone Marrow Transplantation Program offers extensive support services to help families through every step of the transplant process. Transplant team members such as social workers and nurse case managers are here to help our patients and their families find lodging, seek out transportation options and address additional concerns. Additional specialists are available to support the emotional needs that many of our families have during this challenging time.

A Committed Source to the International Community

Our team works closely with referring doctors both nationally and internationally to ensure every child’s medical needs are met before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplants. We provide referring doctors with detailed reports and updates throughout the transplant process. Our team serves as a resource for doctors all over the globe. We are available for consultation by phone and email year-round.