Cancer treatment is evolving, and Novant Health is at the forefront of this transformation. With a focus on immunotherapy and cellular therapies, the system is bringing groundbreaking treatment options to patients across North and South Carolina, while equipping referring physicians with the knowledge to guide their patients to the most advanced care available.

Harnessing the Power of the Immune System

Immunotherapy leverages the body’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Novant Health’s cellular therapies take this approach one step further, using living cells engineered or selected to recognize and combat tumors more effectively. Among these therapies, Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy stands out for its personalized approach. TIL therapy isolates immune cells from a patient’s tumor, expands them in the lab, and reintroduces them—tailoring treatment specifically to patients whose cancers have limited conventional options, such as melanoma or certain GYN tumors.

In some cases, these advanced immunotherapies can help patients avoid or minimize the need for surgery by effectively targeting and shrinking tumors with the body’s own immune response

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David Rizzieri, MD

“Cellular therapies like TILs are reshaping how we approach cancers that historically had limited treatment options,” says Dr. David Rizzieri, Physician in Chief of the Novant Health Cancer Institute. “By bringing these advanced therapies closer to home, we are giving patients access to the most advanced therapies that improve long-term outcomes.”


Novant Health’s Pioneering Programs

Novant Health is uniquely positioned in the region to offer these innovative treatments. Highlights include:

  • TILs Program for Melanoma: The only approved program in western North Carolina, providing highly personalized therapy options that were previously only available at traditional medical centers.
  • Expanded Cellular Therapy Capabilities: FACT-accredited transplant, CAR-T, apheresis, and autologous therapy programs in Triad and Charlotte offer outpatient treatments for improved patient safety and comfort.
  • New Stem Cell Laboratory: Opening December 2025, this facility will enhance advanced cellular processing and immune-therapy capabilities systemwide.
  • Histotripsy Program: A first-in-state program in the Triad for liver lesions, with plans to expand to other tumor sites.
  • RapidArc Dynamic: First health system in the nation to offer next generation precision radiation therapy allowing for more precise dosing and better preservation of surrounding healthy tissue.

Innovative Research and Clinical Trials

Novant Health is advancing the science of immunotherapy through clinical trials, giving patients access to novel treatments near home. Examples include:

  • ARD103 Study: A world-first CAR-T trial targeting CLL-1 for AML.
  • TILs Study Center for GYN-Oncology Patients: Expanding personalized immune therapy research.
  • New studies: CAR-T cell therapy for non-cancer diagnoses, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Systemic Scleroderma.

Guiding Referring Physicians

For physicians, understanding these therapies is crucial to ensuring patients receive timely, specialized care. Novant Health offers a co-localized, multi-disciplinary team environment, ensuring that referring physicians across the system can connect patients quickly with the right experts. Rapid access to clinical trials and innovative therapies ensures patients are treated with the most advanced options available without leaving the region.

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Garrett Sherwood, MD

“By keeping referring physicians informed, we can ensure patients are connected to the right specialists at the right time,” notes Dr. Garrett Sherwood, Hematology, Novant Health. “Our goal is to enhance outcomes and make world-class care accessible to everyone.

Novant Health is not just keeping pace with the latest in immunotherapy, it’s leading the way. Through TIL therapy, CAR-T, and other cellular therapies, the system is expanding treatment options, advancing clinical research, and empowering referring physicians to connect patients with the right specialists at the right time.

Contributing Subject Matter Experts:

David Rizzieri, MD

Garrett Sherwood, MD

Benjamin Deschner, MD

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