Liv Hospital and Istinye University have signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. The agreement aims to shift two of oncology’s most advanced treatments, CAR T-cell therapy and proton-beam radiation, from imported interventions to locally developed and delivered care. The plan includes the establishment of good-manufacturing-practice suites in Istanbul, the formation of joint tumor boards, and bidirectional clinical training programs. Early-stage trials will focus on relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Local Cell Manufacturing to Improve Treatment Timing
CAR-T therapy involves reprogramming a patient’s own T cells to fight cancer, but sending those cells abroad for processing can create delays. Penn Medicine engineers will support the design of cell labs in Istanbul that follow recognized GMP standards, as outlined in public guides to CAR-T manufacturing. Leaders at Liv say the ability to produce cells locally could reduce turnaround times and lower shipping costs, even if a final price point has not yet been set.
Proton Therapy Center Aims to Serve Regional Needs
Building on Penn’s extensive experience in particle therapy, the collaboration includes a planned multi-room proton therapy center at Liv’s oncology campus. Proton beams offer high precision and reduced collateral tissue damage, benefits highlighted in both clinical summaries from the National Cancer Institute and technical overviews found in physics literature. Turkish health leaders see this as a chance to reduce the number of patients traveling to Germany or the Gulf region for access to this level of treatment. Finalization of the accelerator contract is still in progress.
Progress in Regulation and Workforce Planning
Turkey does not currently have a reimbursement system that matches the high cost of commercial CAR-T products seen in the United States. However, discussions around value-based and outcome-driven payment models are gaining traction. Both parties view this as a chance to design a region-specific financial framework that aligns with local healthcare priorities.
Efforts are also underway to harmonize Turkish regulatory practices with those of the FDA and EMA. Liv’s clinical teams are working with authorities to ensure that local labs can qualify for participation in international trials. What was once a concern around retaining skilled staff is now being addressed more proactively. The partnership includes plans for long-term support through competitive salaries, continuing education, and dedicated research funding to help retain GMP-certified professionals in Turkey.
While no official timeline for patient access has been confirmed, both institutions emphasize that regulatory clearance and infrastructure readiness will guide implementation. For Penn researchers, the collaboration offers access to a broader and more diverse patient population while providing a real-world setting to evaluate lower-cost production at scale. If successful, the project could shift cell and proton therapies from niche imports to essential elements of the regional cancer treatment landscape.