ONS Connect - March 2008 - (Page 15)

ONENUrSE’SpErSpECTivE What Changes Have You Seen in Stem Cell Transplantation in the Past 10 Years? Nurses Need Continued Education to Keep Up With the Many Advancements Anna Liza Rodrigues, RN, MSN, MHA, OCN® Anna Liza Rodrigues, RN, MSN, MHA, OCN®, manager of the stem cell transplant/hematology unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, comments on the changes she has observed over the years. eripheral stem cell transplantation (SCT) is an established treatment for multiple hematologic disorders and refractory solid tumors. In recent years, SCT’s potential application in regenerative medicine has generated much interest. Stem cell biology research established stem cell capacity for self-renewal and differentiation to various cell lineages, hence the application of SCT in the treatment of various autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Since the 1990s, significant advances in the field of SCT include • Increased use of matched-unrelated donors P • Use of peripheral blood stem cells replacing traditional bone marrow and use of double cord blood transplantation • Redesigned reduced-intensity conditioning regimens, including low-toxicity targeted therapies such as imatinib, bortezomib, and rituximab • Newer strategies in the management of graftversus-host disease, such as the use of mesenchymal stem cells, extracorporeal photopheresis, broad-specificity T-cell antibodies, interleukin-2 receptor antibodies such as denileukin difitox, and tumor necrosis factor antibodies such as infliximab or etanercept. I have witnessed the growth of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s SCT program since the 1990s. Our inpatient SCT volume has increased dramatically. Last year alone, we completed approximately 220 autologous and allograft SCTs—up from fewer than 50 SCTs per year eight years ago. More clinical trials are using SCT as treatment for refractory autoimmune diseases, including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Crohn disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma. Most recently, promising research is being published about the application of SCT in the treatment of juvenile diabetes. Because of the advances in the field of blood and marrow transplantation, nurses need continuing oncology education to keep up with this evolving specialty through conference attendance, journal subscriptions, and memberships in local and national oncology professional organizations. ✱ March 2008 ONS CONNECT 15

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ONS Connect - March 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In From Then to Now A Year in the Life—Month Three Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Recognize Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in Patients With Cancer Caregiver Care Elasticity of Cells May Help Researchers to Identify Cancer Calendar of Events ONS Congress Your Thoughts and Comments Are a Valued Decision-Making Resource Staying On Top

ONS Connect - March 2008

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