8:15 a.m.

An Overview of the Blood/Marrow Transplant (BMT) Process, Robert H. Collins, Jr., MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

With recent developments in techniques, indications, and supportive therapy, BMT continues to be an advancing field in the treatment of disease, with increased frequency in its use for treating numerous malignant and nonmalignant diseases.

This session will describe the different types of BMTs and the sources of stem cells, as well as explain the pretransplant evaluation process, engraftment, and posttransplant complications. It will also provide an understanding of remission and chemo-sensitive disease; the significance of clinical trials; and the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve optimal outcomes in patients undergoing BMT.

Learning Objectives:

1. Distinguish between the different types of BMT.
2. Summarize the pretransplant evaluation process for patients and donors, including important aspects to consider when choosing a donor.
3. Explain the mechanisms of rejection, infection and other posttransplant complications.
4. State the significance of clinical trials in BMT.
5. Discuss the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to maximize patient outcomes.

10:00 a.m.

The Management of Infections in BMT Recipients, Sanjeet S. Dadwal, MD, FACP, City of Hope National Medical Center

Certain factors place patients undergoing BMT at increased risk for infections. Despite recent advances in supportive care, growth factors, more-potent antimicrobials, prophylaxis strategies, and new diagnostic techniques, infection and graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) remain the major causes of mortality in patients who undergo BMT.  

This session will discuss the management of opportunistic infections and GVHD among BMT recipients.

Learning Objectives:

1. List the common opportunistic infections among BMT recipients and review the guidelines for preventing these infections.
2. Explain the prevention and management of GVHD and the role of T-cells in BMT.
3. Discuss posttransplant management of GVHD.

11:00 a.m.

Pharmaceuticals in BMT, Jill K. Leslie, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, Indiana Blood and Marrow Transplant

Patients undergoing BMT require a number of prescription medications pre- and posttransplant, including immunosuppressants to control GVHD; immune system “boosters” for red and white blood cells and platelets; and medication to prevent infections. This session will discuss medications used during BMT, as well as immunosuppression therapy and its role in BMT pre- and posttransplant. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the prescription medications that are used pre- and posttransplant.
2. Explain immunosuppression therapy and its role in BMT pre- and posttransplant.

1:30 p.m.

National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP): A Resource for Unrelated Donors, Jeffrey W. Chell, MD, National Marrow Donor Program

Thousands of patients diagnosed with blood cancers and other life-threatening diseases depend on BMTs to save their lives. And there are millions of people on the Be the Match Registry® (operated by the NMDP) and other registries throughout the world, who stand ready to donate the cells needed for transplants for patients in need.

This session will provide a global overview of the role of the NMDP as it relates to allogeneic transplantation and the use of unrelated BMT donors.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the role of the NMDP in unrelated donor BMT.
2. Explain HLA typing and its role in transplant outcomes.

2:15 p.m.

Cancer Immunotherapy: Basic Principles, Mechanisms and Applications, Michael R. Bishop, MD, University of Chicago Medicine

Cancer immunotherapy — treatments that harness and enhance the innate powers of the immune system to fight cancer — has become critically important over the last few decades in bringing new and potentially lifesaving treatments to patients with certain types of cancers, and it will continue to impact how cancer is treated in the future. These treatments have the potential to achieve complete, long-lasting remissions and cancer cures, with few or no side effects. This session will review basic principles of immunology and the characteristics of an immune response, along with the treatment considerations of cancer immunotherapy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the basic principles and mechanisms of immunotherapy, as well as the key components of immune response.
2. Explain the development and clinical applications of monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, and cytokines and their respective roles in cancer immunotherapy.
3. Identify challenges associated with the use of immunotherapy among patients with hematologic malignancies.
4. Explain the role of immunotherapy as part of a treatment protocol for initial or refractory disease, including possible surgical intervention, radiation, or chemotherapy.

3:30 p.m.

BMT: Trends in Patients Aged 65 and Older with Cancer, Vivek Roy, MD, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville

Blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, are most common in people age 65 and older. The percentage of older BMT recipients is significantly greater than a decade ago, when patients over the age of 55 were excluded from BMT treatment due to concerns for chemotherapy toxicity. However, reduced-intensity chemotherapy, improved supportive care, and Medicare changes have made it possible for patients age 65 and older to obtain potentially lifesaving BMT therapy. This session will review common diagnoses treated by BMT in the older adult and the role of reduced-intensity donor stem cell transplantation, as well as Medicare coverage for these treatments.

Learning Objectives:

1. List common diagnoses occurring at later ages that can be treated with BMT.
2. State the role of reduced-intensity donor stem cell transplantation in the older adult.
3. Discuss Medicare coverage of BMT.

4:15 p.m.

Challenges in the Care of Children and Adolescent Young Adults (AYA) Undergoing Transplantation, Kenneth R. Cooke, MD, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

Life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, in the pediatric and AYA populations cross many diagnoses and continue to grow in frequency of their occurrence. Treatment options may include blood/marrow and organ transplantation, which can cause multiple psychosocial issues and require a unique management approach. This session will discuss the variables and complexities that can influence the level of psychosocial functioning in children and AYA who have cancer or have had a transplant, as well as the barriers and concerns health care professionals face in managing these patients.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the challenges children and their families face when dealing with life-threatening childhood illnesses.
2. Discuss the unique short- and long-term psychosocial issues facing AYA patients with cancer or conditions requiring transplantation and the barriers that lead to nonadherence to medical regimens.
3. Identify strategies that may be implemented to promote successful compliance and adherence in these patient populations.
4. State the importance of collaboration between the health care teams in the management of this population.