The Straight and Marrow

Forget Day 100......In this episode of the straight and marrow, Lisa, Kerrin and Jon take over the microphone and discuss their transplant experience over 30 years ago and their lives since BMT. Together they make up over 100 years of BMT and share with honesty and humour what life is like after BMT 

The topic of fertility and reproduction before and after BMT can be emotional and complex. In this episode of the straight and marrow podcast, Alex and Yvonne have a conversation with A/Prof Antoinette Anazodo, a Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist. Antoinette discusses the impact of treatment on fertility, options for fertility preservation and planned parenting. Reproductive options for people after BMT have grown and Antoinette presents these in a way that are understandable and will help you ask your healthcare team all the questions you need to know. 

 In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Chantelle, a patient who underwent CAR T-cell therapy after exhausting other treatment options. They share the highs and lows of the experience — from the decision to proceed, through the infusion and side effects, to the long and uncertain road of recovery. With honesty and clarity, this story sheds light on what it’s really like to live through one of the most cutting-edge cancer treatments available today. 

Dr Katherine Cummins (Haematologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital with a focus on clinical translation of CAR T-cells and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation)  joins Alex and Hannah to discuss the long term complications post CAR T, focusing on infections. Katherine discusses the impact of lymphodepleting chemotherapy and what that means for low blood counts, infection risks and how we can tell when the immune system "works" and patients are "safe" - and what we can do to help this.

Nicole O'Leary - an experienced CAR-T nurse practitioner - discusses the importance of the role of the carer. CAR T therapy is not a solo journey and in this episode, we shine a light on the unsung heroes: the carers. From managing medications and monitoring for side effects to providing emotional support through the highs and lows, carers play a critical role in the success and safety of CAR T treatment. 

 Dr Valeriya Kuznetsova, a neuropsychologist, joins the Straight and Marrow team to discuss the neurological side effects of CAR T cell therapy, including ICANS (immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome). From confusion and seizures to subtle cognitive changes, we explore how these toxicities manifest, why they occur, and what can be done to monitor and manage them. Tune in as we navigate the intersection of cutting-edge cancer treatment and brain health — and what it means for patients, families, and clinicians alike 

CAR T-cell therapy is revolutionising cancer treatment, but it comes with unique side effects that every patient and caregiver should understand. In this episode, Dr Hamish Scott joins Alex and Hannah to  break down the most common side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurological toxicities, explaining how they present, how they’re monitored, and what can be done to manage them.  Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode offers crucial insights into the challenges—and hope—of life after CAR T. 

Episode Notes

CARTOX - Apps on Google Play

CARTOX on the App Store

Have you ever wondered how CAR T Cells are made? Join us for a look behind the curtain of CAR T manufacturing with esteemed scientist Associate Professor Dominic Wall, an acknowledged expert in the field and Chief Scientific Officer of Cell Therapies Pty Ltd. 

Shae Disney - an expert Apheresis nurse - talks to Hannah and Alex about what to expect when your cells are being collected, from vein assessments to buffy coat and citrate toxicity as she maps out the journey of the cells from collection to infusion. 

Harnessing Immunity: The CAR T Story is your guide to one of the most ground breaking cancer treatments of our time. This podcast season unpacks how CAR-T therapy is revolutionizing immunotherapy, giving T-cells the power to seek and destroy cancer like never before. From the science behind it to real patient experiences, expert insights, and the latest research; Hannah, Alex and Yvonne break down what you need to know about this cutting-edge treatment. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or just curious about the future of medicine, join us as we explore the science, challenges, and hope behind CAR T. 

Join Professor Simon Harrison as he kicks off this new season of the Straight and Marrow with an in depth explanation of what this new therapy actually is.