10 August, 2026
Patients, families and staff came together to mark a significant milestone in Ireland's CAR-T programme, with over 150 patients having now received Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CART-T) therapy since St James’s hospital became the first adult hospital in Ireland to deliver the pioneering treatment in 2021.
The event celebrated the impact of CAR-T therapy, reflecting on the progress achieved over the past five years and remembered those who are no longer with us.
CAR-T therapy is an innovative and highly personalised form of immunotherapy. The treatment involves collecting a patient's own T-cells, genetically modifying them to recognise and attack cancer cells and then reinfusing them into the patient. For people living with relapsed or treatment-resistant blood cancers, CAR-T therapy can offer hope when other treatment options have been exhausted.
Since the programme began in 2021, the service has expanded steadily, providing access to advanced treatment for patients from across Ireland. The milestone reflects not only the growth of the programme but also the dedication of the multidisciplinary teams who have helped deliver this highly specialised care.
The event featured stories from patients and families whose lives have been touched by CAR-T therapy, including Ireland's longest-surviving CAR-T patient, a patient who travelled abroad for treatment before CAR-T became available in Ireland, and the family of Ireland's first CAR-T patient.
Dr Larry Bacon, Consultant Haematologist and Clinical Lead for CAR-T, highlighted the people behind the milestone.
"Reaching over 150 patients is an important milestone, but what matters most are the individuals and families behind that number. Since the programme began, CAR-T therapy has transformed outcomes for many patients with relapsed and refractory blood cancers who previously had limited treatment options. This achievement reflects the dedication of a multidisciplinary team whose expertise and commitment make this highly specialised treatment possible."
The milestone reflects the hospital’s ambition as an Academic Health Science Campus, bringing together clinical expertise, research, education and innovation to improve outcomes for patients.
CAR-T therapy is a powerful example of how research and innovation can be translated into life-changing treatments that give patients access to some of the most advanced cancer therapies available.
