| |
| January 4, 2010 |
| |
If
you are unable to view
these articles or access the
links,
please visit the ASBMT
Web Site at www.asbmt.org
to read this
issue. To be
removed from this distribution
list, please see
instructions at
bottom. |
| |
 |
Top
Stories |
| |
|
|
Legislation and Regulation |
| |
|
|
Clinical
Research |
| |
|
|
Biopharmaceutical News |
| |
|
|
Association
News |
| |
|
|
BMT Tandem Meetings |
| |
|
|
Calendar |
| |
|
|
Job &
Fellowship Connections |
| |
|
|
Monthly Journal |
| |
|
|
eNews
Archives |
|
|
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
|
|
| Calendar |
• January
Innovations in Solid Organ and Blood/Marrow Transplantation
OptumHealth
Jan. 25-27
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Miami Beach, Florida
Phacilitate Cell & Gene Therapy Forum 2010
Jan. 25-27
The Grand Hyatt
Washington, D.C.
• February
Hematological Aspects of Autoimmune Diseases
European Hematology Association (EHA)
Feb. 13-15
Pullman Mandelieu Hotel
Mandelieu, France
Stem Cell Differentiation and Dedifferentiation
Keystone Symposia
Feb. 15-20
Keystone Conference Center
Keystone, Colorado
BMT Tandem Meetings
Combined ASBMT and CIBMTR annual meetings
Feb. 24-28
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, Florida
Advanced Course in Basic and Clinical Immunology
Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies
Feb. 24-28
Mondrian Hotel
Scottsdale, Arizona
• March
Regenerative Medicine: Advancing Next Generation Therapies
13th Annual Hilton Head Workshop
March 10-14
Sea Pines Resort
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Clinical Practice Guidelines and Quality Cancer Care
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
March 10-14
Westin Diplomat
Hollywood, Florida
Annual Winter Symposium: Management Promoting a Healthy Relationship with the Allograft
American Society of Transplantation (AST)
March 11-14
Rancho Las Palmas
Rancho Mirage, California
Association of Community Cancer Centers
36th Annual Meeting
March 17-20
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
Baltimore, Maryland
American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)
14th Annual Spring Conference
March 20-23
Renaissance Hotels & Resorts
Hollywood, California
European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
36th Annual Meeting
March 21-24
Austria Center Vienna
Vienna, Austria
• April
American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPH/O)
23rd Annual Meeting
April 7-10
Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Acute Leukemia Forum 2010 Advances and Controversies in the Biology and Therapy of Acute Leukemia and Myelodysplasia
Hemedicus Acute Leukemia Forum
April 9
Parc 55
San Francisco, California
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
101th Annual Meeting
April 17-21
Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
Bioprocessing and Barriers to Clinical Applications of Stem Cell Therapies
5th Annual Wisconsin Stem Cell Symposium
April 21
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center
Madison, Wisconsin
• May
American Transplant Congress
American Society of Transplantation (AST)
May 1-5
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California
Immunology 2010
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
May 7-11
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland
14th Annual International Congress of Hematologic Malignancies: Focus on Leukemias, Lymphomas and Myelomas
Physicians’ Education Resource
May 17-21
Fairmont Château Whistler
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT)
13th Annual Meeting
May 17-22
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Washington, D.C.
International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT)
16th Annual Meeting
May 23-26
Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
American Society for Apheresis (ASFA)
30th Annual Meeting
May 26-29
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana
• June
8th Annual International Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Symposium
Cord Blood Forum
June 3-5
Hyatt Regency San Francisco at Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, California
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
46th Annual Meeting
June 4-8
McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois
European Hematology Association (EHA)
15th Congress
June 10-13
The Gran Via Conference Center
Barcelona, Spain
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
8th Annual Meeting
June 16-19
Moscone Center
San Francisco, California
8th International Donor Registry Conference
World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA)
June 16-19
Trinity College
Dublin, Ireland
FOCIS 2010
Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS)
June 24-28
Boston Marriott Copley Place
Boston, Massachusetts
• July
UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN)
Annual Science Meeting
July 12-14
University of Nottingham, East Midlands Conference Center
Nottingham, England, United Kingdom
Cryo 2010
Society for Cryobiology
47th Annual Meeting
July 17-20
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
• August
Canadian Society of Transplantation (CST)
Annual Scientific Conference
Aug. 13-14
Vancouver Congress Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• September
ISCT Europe Regional Meeting
International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT)
Sept. 11-14
Best Western Hotel Villa Carlotta
Belgirate, Italy
International Society for Experimental Hematology (ISEH)
39th Annual Scientific Meeting
Sept. 15-18
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center
Melbourne, Australia
American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI)
36th Annual Meeting
Sept. 26-30
Westin Diplomat
Hollywood, Florida
• October
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
35th Annual Meeting
Oct. 8-12
Milano Convention Centre
Milan, Italy
American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)
2010 Annual Meeting
Oct. 9-12
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland
International Society of Hematology (ISH)
33rd World Congress
Oct. 10-13
ICC Jerusalem International Convention Center
Jerusalem, Israel
ISCT Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting
International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT)
Oct. 17-20
Phoenix Seagaia Resort
Miyazaki, Japan
• 2011
BMT Tandem Meetings
Combined ASBMT and CIBMTR annual meetings
Feb. 17-21
Hawaii Convention Center
Honolulu, Hawaii
• 2012
BMT Tandem Meetings
Combined ASBMT and CIBMTR annual meetings
Feb. 1-5
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel
San Diego, California
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Top
Stories |
| |
|
Scientists create artificial red blood cells
Researchers have created synthetic particles that mimic red blood cells and may one day be capable of carrying drug molecules and/or oxygen through the bloodstream. According to a report in the Dec. 22 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, these artificial cells consist of a strong but flexible shell of proteins in the shape and size of a red blood cell. 
Bone marrow transplant method helps adults with sickle cell
A bone marrow transplantation method typically not used in adults has been shown to cure nine out of 10 adult patients with sickle cell disease. According to a report in the Dec. 10 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, the technique involves treatment with alemtuzumab to suppress immune system T-cells, relatively low doses of radiation, and sirolimus to fight rejection.
Device created to sort blood cells
A new device has been created that applies a magnetic field to a liquid containing magnetic nanoparticles to separate blood cells based on their shape and size. According to a report in the Dec. 22 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this device may be a cheap alternative to time-consuming cell sorting techniques.
|
| |
 A Word from President Claudio Anasetti, MD
The ASBMT officers, directors, and staff have been working since the spring of 2009 in formulating the Society’s new Strategic Plan. This three-year Plan was finally approved by the Board of Directors during the recent ASH meeting in New Orleans. I personally invite all ASBMT members to review this Plan at www.asbmt.org/News/Strategic+Plan.
At this time, I would like to take the opportunity to point out some of the key objectives, many of which have taken shape with input from Society members.
Research – Through the dedicated efforts of members led initially by Dr. William Murphy and later by Dr. Joachim Deeg, ASBMT adopted the BMT Research Priorities (published in the November 2009 BBMT issue), an extremely well thought out document that we plan to further disseminate and promote to the National Institutes of Health and to private industry for development of new program initiatives. One of the priorities is to encourage research that compares the effectiveness of BMT with other therapies and the cost-effectiveness of transplants. Such data will be of paramount importance in our ability to provide BMT services as non-transplant therapies evolve rapidly, and the need for cost-containment will continue to drive public as well as private medical care. With the emergence of stem cell use for regenerative medicine, ASBMT has opened the door to becoming a home for cellular therapy by having representation on the Board, adding more sessions on stem cell biology and tissue repair to the BMT Tandem Meetings, and soliciting articles on these topics for BBMT.
Education – By surveying the membership about the current status of BMT education and the option of a BMT Board certification, we have uncovered perceived deficiencies in current opportunities for the education of BMT clinicians. In the next three years, the newly formed Committee on Education led by Dr. Linda Burns will update the ASBMT guidelines for clinical BMT education, develop an example curriculum, and produce a process improvement module for BMT that we hope will go through the Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology or Hematology Board recertification. We will continue to offer travel grants for hem/onc fellows, BMT fellows and junior faculty to attend the BMT Tandem Meetings, conduct the ASBMT Clinical Research Training Course, and fund New Investigators grants.
Public Policy – A key collaborative effort between ASBMT, CIBMTR and NMDP has been ongoing for several years to achieve a National Coverage Determination by Medicare and Medicaid for allogeneic transplants for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We anticipate a Medicare and Medicaid ruling in April 2010. I want to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks for the overwhelming support from all of you, BMT physicians, hematologists, patients and all parent organizations who have written to CMS in support of this initiative. After a positive landmark ruling on MDS, we plan to evaluate whether a coverage request for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma would also be appropriate. The initial assessment, however, suggests that allogenic transplant utilization for older patients with lymphoma is not nearly as wide as for MDS.
Practice – The ASBMT ‘Evidence-Based Reviews’ have provided an extremely valuable resource for clinicians – see the article on infection prevention and treatment in BMT patients, that underwent a major remake and was published in the October 2009 BBMT issue. Other Evidence-Based Reviews have been a formidable support for BMT reimbursement policies in a variety of BMT indications. We plan to make all evidence-based review articles more clinically useful and user friendly, while keeping evidence integrity. We also plan to develop and disseminate clinical guidelines on areas of BMT that are less studied to provide assistance in the BMT clinician’s everyday practice where landmark papers do not exist. And finally, the ASBMT Committee on Professional Relations will explore strategies for attaining earlier consultation and physician referral of candidates for BMT therapy.
Workforce – Improvements in transplantation technology has decreased the procedural risk, has led to a prolonged patient survival, and a large recent increase in transplant utilization: many more patients with a hematopoietic disorder are now offered the opportunity for a cure. Such progress has improved transplant cost-effectiveness but has increased the health care expenditure for transplantation and has stretched our workforce. Our ultimate goal is to bring the blood and marrow transplant professional workforce into balance with the anticipated need. We will continue to measure the capacity of the current BMT workforce and evaluate compensation. To enhance recruitment, we will conduct research to determine the incentives that attract medical school undergraduates, residents, and hem/onc fellows to a BMT career path. We will use these research results to develop future strategies for making BMT an attractive career choice. We will seek and support federal government policies and legislation that support hematology and BMT training programs.
Society member input is an ongoing need. If you have additional ideas on how to achieve these goals, or simply wish to provide input or feedback, please contact the Society’s main office.
Happy New Year!
– Claudio
|
|
| |
| Legislation and Regulation |
| |
BMT expenditures rise dramatically
Inpatient expenditures for bone marrow transplants were up 85 percent, from $694 million to $1.3 billion, between 2004 and 2007, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). An increasing number of patients was largely responsible, although the cost per case also was up.
FDA deadline for comments is approaching
The comment period on the FDA's Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff - Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) for Minimally Manipulated, Unrelated Allogeneic Placental/Umbilical Cord Blood Intended for Hematopoietic Reconstitution for Specified Indications ends January 19, 2010.
If you've already submitted comments, thank you. If you haven't and feel strongly about this, it's easy and very important that the FDA hears from you.
|
| |
| Clinical Research |
| |
Statins protect transplant patients from GVH disease
Statins may protect stem cell transplant patients from graft-versus-host disease. According to a report in the advance online edition of Blood, a retrospective study of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from matched sibling donors showed that patients whose donors were taking statins experience no acute GVH disease.
Modified stem cells target HIV
Treatment with a genetically altered stem cell could bolster the immune system against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), according to a report published Dec. 7 on PLoS One. Researchers genetically engineered stem cells to carry a molecule derived from an HIV-infected person that, when injected in mice, developed into mature immune cells that could target cells with HIV-specific proteins.
Cord blood cells improve corneal transparency in mice
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into the corneal stroma of the eye in mice survived for more than three months with few signs of graft rejection. According to findings presented at the American Society for Cell Biology’s annual meeting, the transplanted cells helped restore transparency to cloudy corneas.
Use of T-regulatory cells prevents GVH in leukemia patients
In patients with acute leukemia, an infusion of T-regulatory cells provided long-term protection from graft-versus-host disease. According to results presented at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting, 25 of the 26 patients who could be evaluated showed no GVH disease. In addition, this treatment method improved the speed of immune recovery.
|
| |
| Biopharmaceutical News |
| |
Pfizer to develop Athersys cells to treat bowel disease
Pfizer is buying the rights to develop MultiStem cells from Athersys to treat inflammatory bowel disease. The cells, derived from human bone marrow, are in early human testing for treating heart attacks and for cancer patients receiving bone marrow transplants.
|
| |
| Association
News |
| |
Online voting under way for officers, directors
For the second time, the annual election of ASBMT officers and directors is being conducted online instead by mailed paper ballot. Members qualified to vote in the election were sent instructions by broadcast e-mail on Dec. 21, 2009. The ballot deadline is Jan. 19, 2010.
Clinical research training course will return to Park City
The ASBMT Clinical Research Training Course for fellows-in-training and junior faculty will return to Park City, Utah, in 2010. Applications are being accepted through March 1 for the course that will be held July 14-19.
264 comment on Medicare coverage for MDS
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) received 264 comments from transplant physicians, other healthcare personnel and patients supporting coverage of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). A decision memo from CMS is expected by May.
FACT Board reviews year’s accomplishments
Seven blood and marrow transplant programs achieved first-time accreditation in 2009 and 42 others earned accreditation renewal, according to the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). A year-end review by the Board of Directors indicates that 175 transplant programs are now FACT accredited, representing the overwhelming majority of facilities in the United States.
New cord blood standards due this month
The fourth edition of the NetCord-FACT Cord Blood Standards will be published in January, along with related accreditation manual, inspection checklist, document checklist and “crosswalk” to the third edition. Banks applying for or renewing accreditation under the third edition must be inspected before the new standards take effect on March 31, 2010.
Cord blood licensure workshop planned
AABB will again be sponsoring a workshop on cord blood licensure issues in collaboration with the FDA, HRSA, FACT/NetCord, the National Marrow Donor Program and ASBMT. The tentative date is March 8-10, 2010.
Brochure promotes careers in transplantation
A brochure presents career opportunities in hematopoietic cell transplantation to young clinicians and investigators. Included are brief testimonials from several physicians who recently joined the field.
Education Book accompanies this month’s BBMT
The Education Book for the 2010 BMT Tandem Meetings is published as a supplement to the January issue of Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Sixteen chapters with 24 articles have been prepared by faculty of sessions at next month’s meetings in Orlando.
Membership grows to record 1,562
ASBMT membership reached 1,562 at the end of 2009, continuing 13 consecutive years of growth. The active Member category saw the largest increase, growing at an annual rate of 3 percent. Health professionals outside the United States and Canada compose 16 percent of ASBMT members.
Honolulu chosen for 2016 annual meeting
When Hawaii celebrates its 50th anniversary of statehood in 2016, the BMT Tandem Meetings will be there. The ASBMT Executive Committee and the CIBMTR Advisory Committee have agreed to return to Honolulu in February of that year.
|
| |
| BMT Tandem Meetings |
| |
Late-breaking “hot topics” at BMT Tandem Meetings
Peripheral T-cell lymphomas and H1N1 are “hot topics” that are being added to the 2010 BMT Tandem Meetings that will convene Feb. 24-28 in Orlando. Continue checking the website, more information will be forthcoming.
Agenda is online for 2010 BMT Tandem Meetings
Last week while much of the country was gripped by bitter winter weather, Orlando had daily highs in the range of 76 to 83 degrees – a fine time for making final preparations to attend the 2010 BMT Tandem Meetings. The scientific program can be viewed online.
Housing deadline is Jan. 18 for annual meeting
Jan. 18 is the deadline for hotel reservations at group rates for the 2010 BMT Tandem Meetings. After that, accommodations on a space-available basis are no longer guaranteed.
Annual meeting to feature ‘Meet the Professor’ lunches
Fellows and junior faculty attending the 2010 BMT Tandem Meetings will have an opportunity for informal discussions with experts in areas of BMT patient management. Each lunch session will be led by internationally regarded authorities using a case-based discussion of a topic such as chronic GVHD, Pediatric CBT, Low Grade lymphoma and Mismatched Transplants. Sign-up will be at the on-site meeting registration desk.
Medical Directors Conference
Final preparations are underway for the Medical Directors Conference at this year’s BMT Tandem Meetings on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 27. Continue checking the website, more information will be forthcoming.
Stanley Riddell to present E. Donnall Thomas Lecture
Stanley R. Riddell, MD, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington School of Medicine will present the E. Donnall Thomas Lecture at the 2010 BMT Tandem Meetings in Orlando. His presentation, “Therapeutic T-cells: The End of the Long Beginning,” will be on Friday, Feb. 26.
2010 Public Service Award
During the Presidents Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 27, ASBMT will present the 2010 Public Service Award posthumously to Martin Strelzer.
|
| |
|
