BiTE Therapy For Blood Cancer

BiTE Therapy (Bispecific T-cell Engager Therapy) is a non-chemotherapy treatment that helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer. It’s especially designed for patients whose cancers have come back after treatment or have not responded to standard therapies — known as relapsed or refractory cancers.

Premier Blood and Cancer Center is proud to offer this innovative treatment option at Miami Valley Hospital South, led by hematologist-oncologist Dr. Jehad Al-Masri, who specializes in malignant hematology.

How BiTE Therapy Works

BiTE molecules act as a bridge between your immune cells and cancer cells. One end of the BiTE attaches to a T cell (a type of immune cell). The other end attaches to a cancer cell using a specific marker unique to that cancer type. This “engagement” brings the T cell and the cancer cell close together, allowing the immune system to directly attack and destroy the cancer cell.

Types of Cancer Treated With BiTE Therapy

BiTE therapy is currently used and is being studied in several cancers, including blood cancers and some solid tumor types. Research continues to expand the types of cancers that can be effectively targeted with BiTE therapy, including:

  • Leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • Other solid tumors (in research): including prostate cancer, glioblastoma, gastric cancer, and others

Who Can Benefit?

  • Patients whose cancers have not responded to traditional treatments
  • Those whose cancers have returned after remission
  • Older adults or patients who cannot tolerate more aggressive chemotherapy regimens

How BiTE Therapy Is Administered

BiTE therapy is typically prescribed by a hematologist-oncologist at Premier Blood and Cancer Center. Patients receive treatment as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection or via infusion at our infusion center.

During therapy, patients are carefully monitored. This includes self-reported daily tracking of key health data points that are logged right in the patient’s MyChart account, making it easy for patients to access their health history and to help providers easily assess response and adjust care as needed.

How To Request BiTE Therapy

If you or a loved one are interested in BiTE therapy, please speak with your primary care physician. Any physician can refer patients to Premier Blood and Cancer Center for a consultation. Oncology patients can also call the office directly to request a second opinion.

Refer a Patient

In Epic, place a consult order to the Premier Blood and Cancer Center or request through secure chat.

Or fill out the Specialty Referral Form and fax the completed and signed order (937) 341-8991(937) 341-8991.