Blood Center  Personnel Learn About
Stem Cell Transplants and Tissue Repair

An audience of more than 200 personnel at 49 blood centers participated in an ASBMT-led teleconference on “Cellular Therapy for Tissue Repair and Stem Cell Transplantation.”  The session targeted physicians, technologists, residents, fellows, nurses and managers/supervisors at AABB-affiliated centers.

The teleconference was chaired by John DiPersio, MD, PhD, of Washington University School of Medicine.  Presentations were given by:

• E. J. Shpall, MD, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Jan Nolta, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine
• Gerhard Bauer, Washington University School of Medicine

Several dimensions of cellular therapy for tissue repair were discussed:  

• how to design and operate a GMP facility that complies with institutional, FDA and NIH regulations
  
  
• an update on studies using genetically manipulated T-cells for the control of graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic stem cell transplantation
  
  
• progress in the expansion of umbilical cord blood stem cells to enhance engraftment after allogeneic tem cell transplantation

The teleconference was broadcast on April 26, and a recording of the teleconference can be purchased online.