John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) at the Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), and part of the Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), specializes in oncology services and treatments.^[1] It is known for being the first site approved to use cell-based gene therapy to treat patients with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma who have not responded or relapsed after at least two other kinds of treatment; it initiated the first CAR T-cell therapy clinical trials and is a member of the NCI-approved Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Other areas of concentration include bone marrow transplants, stem cell transplantation, lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, neuro-oncology, cutaneous malignancy, gastrointestinal, geriatric, head and neck, thoracic, urologic, breast, and gynecologic.^[2] As of 2023, Andre Goy is chair and Chief Physician Officer.^[3][4][5]

In 2019, JTCC received approval from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a member of the NCI-approved Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.^[6] The partnership focuses on advancing research and treatment in breast cancer, cancer prevention and control, experimental therapeutics and molecular oncology.^[7][8][9] The Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a leader in cancer treatment.^[10]

JTCC is part of Hackensack University Medical Center. HUMC and part of the Hackensack Meridian Health network, which includes Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, the Cancer Center, a branch of The Betty Torricelli Institute for Breast Care, Ocean Medical Center, Pascack Valley Medical Center, and the Riverview Medical Center.^[11][12][13]

In 2022, JTCC expanded its program to Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center's HOPE Tower, providing access to specialized cancer services and access to clinical trials.^[14]

In 2011, JTCC at HUMC opened a $130-million, 155,000-sq. ft. facility.^[1] The JTCC pavilion was built with a green roof, providing patients and visitors with a relaxing environment^[16] and doubling as exterior insulation—greatly reducing heat gain and loss.^[17] This reduces energy use for heating and cooling as well as harmful emissions.^[18]

• JTCC initiated the first CAR T-cell therapy clinical trials through its NCI collaboration and became the first certified center in New Jersey to offer this treatment, in which a patient's own immune cells (T-cells) are trained to fight cancer.^[19]
• JTCC supports the Northeast's largest bone marrow transplant (BMT) program and, in 2014, performed 400 transplants.^[8]
• Treated first US patient with an investigatory drug for relapsed glioblastoma and other anaplastic gliomas.^[20][21]
• First to use a biomarker surveillance program that screens patients who are at high-risk for developing pancreatic cancer.^[22]
• Among the first of limited U.S. sites approved to offer Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), a cell-based gene therapy, to treat adult patients with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma who have not responded or relapsed after at least two other kinds of treatment.^[23] As of 2023, it is also approved for all six commercially available CAR-T products for lymphoma, multiple myeloma and pediatric B-Cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Yescarta, Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel), Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel), Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel), and Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel).