Revolutionising Cancer Care in Barcelona: CAR-T Cell Therapy and Multidisciplinary Excellence at BIH

When conventional cancer treatments stop working, science steps in to bring hope. CAR-T cell therapy is one of the most groundbreaking advances in modern oncology — and Barcelona has become a European leader in its development. Here, where scientific discovery, clinical practice, and human compassion intersect, cancer care moves beyond traditional boundaries.

Thanks to the Barcelona International Hospitals (BIH) network, patients from around the world gain access to CAR-T therapy programmes, advanced immunotherapy techniques, and multidisciplinary teams capable of managing even the most complex cancers.

What Is CAR-T Therapy and Why It Has Transformed Cancer Treatment

CAR-T therapy (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy) is a type of immunotherapy in which a patient’s own T-cells are modified in a laboratory to help them recognise and destroy cancer cells. In essence, it is not just a treatment — it is a reprogramming of the immune system.

After genetic modification, these “educated” cells are returned to the patient’s body, where they target and attack tumour cells directly. CAR-T therapy has shown remarkable results in a range of haematological cancers, including lymphoma, leukaemia, and myeloma.

But its success depends not only on cutting-edge laboratories — it also requires multidisciplinary expertise, bringing together oncologists, immunologists, haematologists, bioengineers, and intensive care specialists. This is exactly the collaborative model that defines Barcelona’s oncology ecosystem.

Why Barcelona Is at the Forefront of Advanced Oncology

Barcelona today represents a city where medical science and clinical practice evolve hand in hand. Here, everything is designed to ensure that innovation moves quickly from the laboratory to the bedside.

The main reasons Barcelona has become a leading European hub for CAR-T therapy:

• A strong research infrastructure, with certified laboratories for cellular engineering and genetic modification.
• Extensive clinical experience, as local hospitals participate in major international trials.
• Supportive healthcare policy and collaboration with the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
• An exceptional academic foundation, linking university hospitals with research institutions.
• A multidisciplinary ecosystem where clinicians, biologists, engineers, and IT specialists work together to drive innovation.

Learn more about the research and medical advancements within the BIH network on Research at Barcelona International Hospitals — advanced medical developments.

Leading CAR-T Therapy Centres in Barcelona: BIH Partner Hospitals

The Barcelona International Hospitals (BIH) network unites top medical institutions where technology, clinical expertise, and humanity work as one. Among them are Centro Médico Teknon, Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Barnaclínic+, Institut Guttmann, Fundació Puigvert, and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona.

Although each hospital has its own area of specialisation, in oncology they act as a cohesive system, offering patients a complete pathway — from genetic diagnostics and treatment planning to CAR-T therapy and rehabilitation.

Centro Médico Teknon — Precision, Technology, and Innovation

At Centro Médico Teknon, specialists who took part in some of Spain’s first clinical trials of CAR-T therapy continue to lead the way. The hospital is known for its integrative approach, combining molecular tumour analysis with personalised treatment design to achieve optimal outcomes.

Special emphasis is placed not only on medical results but also on quality of life — from psychological support to individual recovery programmes after treatment.

Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona — An International Oncology Hub

Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona was among the first private centres in the city to introduce CAR-T therapy for patients with haematologic malignancies. It operates a state-of-the-art cell engineering laboratory and a dedicated haemato-oncology team.

One of its key strengths is international coordination. The hospital welcomes patients from across Europe and beyond, offering consultation and medical assistance in several languages.

Barnaclínic+ and Hospital Clínic Barcelona — When Science Meets Medicine

Barnaclínic+, in close collaboration with Hospital Clínic Barcelona, represents how academic medicine drives innovation. Here, teams conduct pioneering research to refine CAR-T technologies, develop new antigen receptors, and reduce treatment-related side effects.

Through active participation in translational research projects, Barnaclínic+ transforms laboratory discoveries into real-world therapeutic solutions for patients.

Institut Guttmann — Rehabilitation After Intensive Cancer Therapy

While Institut Guttmann is widely recognised as a European leader in neurorehabilitation, it also plays a vital role within BIH’s oncology ecosystem. Patients who have undergone intensive treatments receive comprehensive rehabilitation, including neuropsychological care, physiotherapy, and support to regain independence and daily function after therapy.

Fundació Puigvert and Hospital Universitari Dexeus — Expertise and Clinical Continuity

Both Fundació Puigvert and Hospital Universitari Dexeus specialise in urological and reproductive oncology. They integrate immunological and genetic diagnostics to identify tumour characteristics and design personalised therapeutic strategies.

This cross-disciplinary collaboration ensures that patients benefit from BIH’s combined expertise across interconnected specialties.

Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona — World-Class Paediatric Oncology

Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona is one of the few centres in Europe that conducts CAR-T programmes for children and adolescents. Through international partnerships and BIH collaboration, the hospital provides access to innovative treatments for paediatric haematologic cancers, combining scientific precision with compassion and family-centred care.

CAR-T Therapy: Step by Step

To ensure safety and effectiveness, CAR-T therapy follows a precisely coordinated process:

1. Collection of the patient’s T-cells through apheresis.
2. Laboratory modification, adding the artificial CAR receptor to the cells.
3. Expansion and preparation of modified cells for reinfusion.
4. Infusion of the engineered cells back into the patient’s body.
5. Monitoring and recovery, with ongoing evaluation of the immune response.

CAR-T therapy demands an exceptional level of medical coordination, which is why BIH patients receive continuous support from multidisciplinary teams throughout every stage — from the first consultation to post-treatment recovery.

You can read more about this therapy in CAR-T Therapy in Barcelona — new opportunities for treating haematologic malignancies in adults.

Benefits of Receiving CAR-T Therapy at BIH

• BIH centres are certified to conduct CAR-T programmes.
• All treatments follow international safety and quality protocols.
• Patients receive personalised monitoring and rehabilitation plans.
• Full assistance for international patients, including translation and coordination.
• Medical decisions are made collectively, through multidisciplinary tumour boards.

The New Era of Oncology in Barcelona

CAR-T therapy has become a symbol of a new era in oncology — one where the immune system becomes medicine’s most powerful ally. Today, Barcelona stands as a city where breakthrough technologies are born and lives are transformed.

Through the combined expertise of Barcelona International Hospitals, innovation turns into tangible results — and hope becomes healing. Take the first step: contact our international team via the BIH contact form  to explore your options for personalised cancer treatment in Barcelona.

Frequently Asked Questions About CAR-T Therapy

What is CAR-T therapy in simple terms? 

It’s an immunotherapy method where a patient’s own T-cells are reprogrammed to recognise and destroy cancer cells.

What types of cancer can CAR-T therapy treat?

Currently it’s used mainly for blood cancers — lymphoma, leukaemia, and myeloma. Research is ongoing for solid tumours.

Can international patients receive CAR-T therapy in Barcelona?

Yes. BIH clinics welcome patients from around the world and offer multilingual assistance throughout the process.

How long does CAR-T treatment take?

The duration varies depending on the diagnosis and response, but the full process — from cell collection to infusion — typically spans several weeks.

How can I contact BIH for a consultation?

Simply complete the form on the contact page, and a BIH international coordinator will reach out to assist you.