Elective Course Description
This elective introduces stem cell transplantation and its role in lethal acquired hematological diseases (aplastic anemia and leukemia) and genetic diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, thalassemia, and certain white cell disorders. Students will be introduced to the clinical and biological basis of stem cell transplantation, the basic concepts of immunogenetics and their importance in the selection of recipient and donor matches, and the principles of management of transplant-related disorders such as graft failure, graft vs. host disease and transplant-associated infections, as well as techniques for removing T-cell or alternatively selecting progenitor cells for transplant purposes. Students will accompany the attending and fellow during daily rounds and will attend weekly Transplant Rounds with other members of the service. Students will be evaluated throughout their rotation directly, based on interaction with teaching faculty. During the rotation, students will also have an opportunity to visit the various immunology and hematology laboratories that interact with the marrow transplant program and observe those laboratory techniques which are used to evaluate donors and recipients.
Learning Objectives
- Obtain a complete and reliable history in pediatric stem cell transplant patients.
- Perform a thorough physical examination in pediatric stem cell transplant patients.
- Organize and deliver a clear, concise, and thorough oral presentation of a patient’s history and examination.
- Explain the findings on clinical history and examination that suggest a hematologic or oncologic disorder which requires further evaluation and treatment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the diseases for which stem cell transplantation is indicated.
- Become familiar with the principles of stem cell transplantation.
- Develop an efficient approach to finding information resources related to pediatric stem cell transplantation (i.e.., internet, medical literature, textbooks) to obtain rapid information relevant to a presenting patient problem.
- Understand the role that research (clinical, translational, basic sciences) plays in the treatment of pediatric hematologic and oncologic disorders.
Suggested Literature
- Edward Copelan Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation NEJM 2006; 354:1813-26
- Richard O’Reilly T cell depleted Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplants as a Platform for Adoptive Therapy with Leukemia Selective or Virus-Specific T Cells. BMT 2015; 50: 543-550
