Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Broward Health Medical Center has introduced bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) therapy, an innovative immunotherapy that harnesses the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. The FDA-approved therapy is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), lymphoma, multiple myeloma, lung cancer and melanoma.
The first patient treated at Broward Health Medical Center on Oct. 12 received BiTE therapy for a specific type of lung cancer. Additional patients, including those with multiple myeloma, are expected to receive the therapy as appropriate.
"BiTE therapy represents an important advancement in cancer care because it brings the patient's own immune system directly to the cancer cell," said Simon Blanc, M.D., medical director of hematology-oncology at Broward Health Medical Center. "By connecting T cells with specific targets on cancer cells, this therapy gives us another highly targeted treatment option for patients who may benefit from it."
Unlike traditional immunotherapies, which rely on the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, BiTE therapy is designed to bring T cells into direct contact with cancer cells. This connection activates the T cells and helps direct the immune response toward the tumor.
Offering BiTE therapy requires specialized clinical expertise, multidisciplinary coordination and close patient monitoring. At Broward Health Medical Center, nurses, emergency medicine physicians, hospitalists, intensivists, GME residents, pharmacists and oncology teams completed specialized education and established protocols to support the safe administration and monitoring of patients receiving the therapy.
"Our clinical team is excited to offer this promising immune therapy to our cancer patients," said Dr. Blanc. "Our team has established the infrastructure, protocols and expertise necessary to deliver this therapy safely and effectively."
Broward Health also updated its Epic electronic medical record system to identify patients receiving BiTE therapy and support coordinated care across clinical teams.
Broward Health Medical Center is initially offering BiTE therapy at its flagship hospital, with plans to expand availability across the Broward Health system.
About Broward Health
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts four hospitals, two trauma centers, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of over $2 billion and annually provides more than $554 million in charity and uncompensated care. For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.
