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| May 1, 2009 |
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Legislation and Regulation |
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Clinical
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Biopharmaceutical News |
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Association
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Calendar |
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Job &
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Monthly Journal |
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eNews
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| Calendar |
• May
International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT)
15th Annual Meeting
May 3-6
Sheraton San Diego Hotel
San Diego, California
Immunology 2009
American Association of Immunologists
May 8-12
Washington State Convention & Trade Center
Seattle, Washington
Focus on Lymphoid Malignancies
European Hematology Association (EHA) and European School of Hematology (ESH)
May 15-17
Nordic Hotel Forum
Tallinn, Estonia
Nuclear Terrorism: Preparedness and Response for Hematology/Oncology Centers
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT)
May 18
Pooks Hill Marriott
Bethesda, Maryland
Workshop on Clinical Trial Endpoints for Acute GVHD after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
FDA, NCI, NIAID, CIBMTR and ASBMT
May 19
Hilton Rockville
Rockville, Maryland
American Society for Apheresis (ASFA)
30th Annual Meeting
May 20-23
Sheraton San Diego Hotel
San Diego, California
2nd International Congress on Leukemia-Lymphoma-Myeloma
Turkish Society of Hematology
May 21-24
WOW Convention Center
Istanbul, Turkey
American Society of Gene Therapy (ASGT)
12th Annual Meeting
May 27-30
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
45th Annual Meeting
May 29-June 2
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, Florida
American Transplant Congress
American Society of Transplantation (AST)
May 30-June 3
John B. Hynes Veteran Convention Center
Boston, Massachusetts
• June
European Hematology Association (EHA)
14th Congress
June 4-7
International Congress Center Berlin
Berlin, Germany
7th Annual International Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Symposium
Cord Blood Forum
June 5-6
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
Los Angeles, California
FOCIS 2009
Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS)
June 11-14
San Francisco Marriott
San Francisco, California
2009 Pan Pacific Lymphoma Conference
University of Nebraska Medical Center
June 22-26
Fairmont Orchid
Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii
• July
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
6th Annual Meeting
July 8-11
Centre Convencions Internacional
Barcelona, Spain
Cancer Biostatistics Workshop
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
July 12-18
The Lodge at Sonoma
Sonoma, California
Molecular Biology in Clinical Oncology
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
July 17-24
Given Institute of the University of Colorado
Aspen, Colorado
Cryo 2009
Society for Cryobiology
46th Annual Meeting
July 19-23
Hokkaido University
Sapporo, Japan
• September
International Society for Experimental Hematology (ISEH)
38th Annual Scientific Meeting
Sept. 9-12
Hotel Divani Caravel
Athens, Greece
American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)
33rd Annual Meeting
Sept. 13-16
MGM Grand
Las Vegas, Nevada
26th National Oncology Economics Conference
Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC)
Sept. 22-25
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
American Society of Multicultural Health and Transplant Professionals (ASMHTP)
17th Annual Meeting
Sept. 23-25
Green Valley Ranch
Las Vegas, Nevada
• October
Cytokines 2009: Cellular and Cytokine Interactions in Health and Disease
International Cytokine Society (ICS)
Oct. 17-21
Lisbon Convention Center
Lisbon, Portugal
Lymphoma and Myeloma 2009: An International Congress on Hematologic Malignancies
Imedex
Oct. 22-24
Waldorf Astoria Hotel
New York, New York
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
European School of Hematology
Oct. 22-25
Pullman Mandelieu Hotel
Mandelieu, France
American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)
2009 Annual Meeting
Oct. 24-27
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
• November
International Workshop on the Biology, Prevention and Treatment of Relapse after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Nov. 2-3
Natcher Auditorium
Bethesda, Maryland
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| Top
Stories |
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Blood cells reprogrammed to act as embryonic stem cells
Researchers have reprogrammed CD34+ cells to be pluripotent stem cells. According to a report in the advance online publication of Blood, the cultured cells expressed the same markers as embryonic stem cells and shared the capacity to differentiate into a variety of specialized cell types. 
Stem cell therapy reduces insulin need for Type 1 diabetes
Patients with Type 1 diabetes who received a stem cell transplant were able to go as long as four years without needing insulin treatments, according to a report in the April 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers said the transplant increased levels of C-peptides, which indicate how well the body is producing insulin. In 23 patients studied, 20 did not need insulin for periods as long as four years.
FDA addresses somatic cell therapy for cardiac disease
The Food and Drug Administration is inviting comments on a draft “Guidance for Industry: Somatic Cell Therapy for Cardiac Disease.” The document presents recommendations on the design of preclinical and clinical studies for cellular therapies for the treatment of cardiac disease, as well as criteria for submitting information about the product delivery system.
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 A Word from President Claudio Anasetti, MD
We are able to accomplish so much more today for our patients. Innovations in patient care and technology have opened the option of hematopoietic cell therapy to patients who, until just a decade ago, were not considered for such treatment.
Reduced intensity conditioning regimens, mobilized blood progenitor cells, refined HLA typing, and umbilical cord blood have extended the indication for allogeneic transplantation to older patients and to those with co-morbidity. Nowadays, we have more anti-cancer agents available to treat the underlying malignancy, more immune suppressants to quell graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and potent antibiotics to control infections of bacteria, molds and viruses.
Such rapid progress has provided access to therapy for a much greater number of patients, including those who are older and frailer, and it has changed the way we practice stem cell transplantation. At the same time, it has facilitated a proliferation of approaches, many of which that have not been rigorously validated.
Unfortunately, despite these advances, the fundamental limitations of hematopoietic cell transplantation remain unchanged:
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Cancer resistance to chemo-radio-immunotherapy limits success of both autologous and allogeneic transplants.
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GVHD remains the primary complication in patients who have received an allograft. |
Research Priorities
How can ASBMT help physicians choose among the infinite number of permutations in both conditioning and GVHD regimens to improve patient outcome? On the research front, we are focusing the attention of funding agencies, private industry and investigators on what we believe are the key problems at hand. A committee of ASBMT members has helped the Board of Directors identify some of the most urgent research priorities in seven areas, including stem cell biology, GVHD, tumor control, transplant utilization and care of the survivors.
GVHD Clinical Trials
Another of our current initiatives is a workshop to determine endpoints for acute GVHD clinical trials. Together with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), we are collaborating with the FDA and the National Institutes of Health on the workshop that will be held May 19 in Bethesda, Md. All interested ASBMT members are encouraged to attend.
Strategic Plan
Another group of ASBMT members – your officers and directors – are getting ready to draft a new three-year strategic plan for the society. It’s hard to believe, but we have arrived at the end of the current three-year plan and nearly everything we set out to do three years ago has been accomplished. It’s time to cast our eyes toward the horizon, establish new goals and develop strategies for reaching important objectives.
Part of that planning process, as was done three years ago, will be an online survey of ASBMT members. This will be your opportunity to tell us how we are doing and the priorities that you recommend for the next two or three years.
It won’t take but three or four minutes of your time. When you receive the e-mail inviting your participation in the online survey, please give us the benefit of your thinking.
– Claudio
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| Clinical Research |
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Scientists multiply stem cells in the laboratory
Scientists have successfully produced a large quantity of stem cells from a small number of blood stem cells obtained from bone marrow. According to a report in the April 17 issue of Cell, the researchers identified 10 proteins that are naturally present in hematopoietic stem cells that can be used to force these cells to multiply in the laboratory.
Gene identified that regulates hematopoietic stem cells
Scientists have identified a gene called JunB that controls the rapid production and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, which produce all blood cell types. According to a report in the April 7 issue of Cancer Cell, this gene could provide a method for protecting against leukemia and other blood cancers.
Molecule identified that signals thymus to accept stem cells
Researchers in British Columbia have discovered a “molecular key” that could help increase the success of blood stem cell transplants, according to a report in the April issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine. Scientists identified a molecule, S1P, that signals the thymus to accept more stem cells, which it then uses to produce T-cells.
Stem cells used to grow new blood vessels
Researchers have determined how to use specific stem cells from bone marrow to grow new blood vessels in mice with limb ischemia. According to a report in the advance online publication of Blood, scientists isolated pro-angiogenic stem cells and injected them into the circulatory system of mice that had one of their leg arteries removed. These stem cells targeted the area of ischemia to induce blood vessel repair and improve blood flow.
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| Biopharmaceutical News |
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Animal component-free media introduced for MSCs
StemCell Technologies has introduced the first defined, animal component-free and serum-free medium for culturing human mesenchymal cells. Cells cultured in MesenCult®-ACF Medium are said to expand faster and show a significant reduction in hematopoietic cell contamination at early stages compared to serum-containing media.
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| Association
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H1N1 influenza: Guidelines for HCT centers
The presence of the H1N1 influenza virus in specific areas of the country is reason for all hematopoietic stem cell transplant centers and personnel to review infection control procedures. Guidelines are posted on the ASBMT Web site.
BMT InfoNet issues flu prevention advisory
Responding to inquiries from patients and families about swine flu, the patient support group BMT InfoNet has issued an advisory about precautions against influenza infection.
'Be the Match' is new name for NMDP registry
The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) has introduced “Be the Match” as a new name for its marrow donor and cord blood registry. The newly adopted name is part of a campaign to more aggressively market the registry’s mission, increase the size of its database of adult donors and cord blood units, and grow the organization’s commitment to new and existing members.
Transplant nurses form special interest group
A special interest group for transplant nurses has been established within ASBMT. The special interest group (“SIG”) will coordinate the sessions for nurses at the BMT Tandem Meetings, participate in relevant ASBMT committees and address the unique professional needs of transplant nurses.
Workshop will consider aGVHD clinical trial endpoints
ASBMT and CIBMTR are collaborating with the FDA and several other federal agencies on a one-day workshop on endpoints for trials of drugs and therapies that prevent and treat acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). The goal is to gather expert insights for decisions about potential endpoints that can be used in current and future studies of aGVHD. There is no registration fee for the workshop, which is scheduled for May 19 in Rockville, Md.
Nuclear terrorism preparation and response
A conference, “Nuclear Terrorism: Preparedness and Response for Hematology/Oncology Centers,” will be held May 18 in Bethesda, Md. The conference is sponsored by the Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN), a cooperative effort of ASBMT and the National Marrow Donor Program.
Heavy agenda for HRSA advisory council
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation will meet on May 12 in Bethesda, Md., with an agenda that includes requirements for informed consent for cord blood donation, accreditation requirements for cord blood banks, factors that define a cord blood unit as high quality, criteria for selecting the appropriate blood stem cell source for transplantation, and research priorities for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program.
Scholars selected for 2009 research training course
Twelve young clinicians and investigators have been selected to participate in the third annual ASBMT Transplant Clinical Research Training Course, to be held in July in Park City, Utah.
171 transplant facilities now FACT accredited
During the first quarter of 2009, one blood and marrow transplant program achieved first-time accreditation and seven others earned accreditation renewals, according to the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. A total of 171 transplant programs are now FACT accredited.
Immunologists to hear about immunotherapy of cancer
A symposium, “Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Immunotherapy of Cancer,” has been organized by ASBMT for the 96th annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists on May 9 in Seattle.
Recordings and MP3 downloads of Tandem sessions
Audio MP3 and synchronized audio/visual downloads are available online for the parallel conferences of the BMT Tandem Meetings: the Transplant Nursing Conference, BMT Pharmacists Conference, BMT Center Administrators Conference, Clinical Research Professionals Data Management Conference and FACT Workshops. Most of the plenary and concurrent scientific presentations also are available.
IV busulfan reviewed in BBMT
The literature on intravenous busulfan (Bu) and its use in preparative regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation is reviewed in this month’s issue of Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Stefan Ciurea, MD, and Borje Andersson MD, PhD, of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center observe that Bu-based conditioning is being used increasingly in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for lymphoid malignancies, genetic diseases and umbilical cord blood transplantation.
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