Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1203255
at Methodist Children's Hospital, seeks to minimize the use of radiation during transplant, allowing some patients to avoid radiation's long-term side effects. Historically, Dr. Eckrich says, radiation was considered the standard of care for pediatric transplant patients, but this trial seeks to establish standards for more judicious use of radiation. Methodist Children's Hospital is also one of the few centers in the U.S. tak- ing part in a novel gene therapy trial for patients between the ages of 18 and 25 with sickle cell disease. "The only cure for sickle cell disease at this point has been bone marrow trans- plant, and usually it's been reserved for allogeneic transplants," Dr. Eckrich says. "This trial uses the patient's own stem cells to correct their sickle cell and give them back their own cells." The trial, which uses the gene-editing technique known as CRISPR, could pave the way for new treatments for sickle cell disease by providing patients with a life- long autogenic source for red blood cells while also avoiding the potential com- plications from allogeneic transplants. CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY, HOLISTIC PATIENT CARE Melding up-to-date technolog ies with holistic hea ling is a requirement for a world-class cancer center, Kiehne says. " I don't t hin k we ca n split t he t wo apa r t ," she says. " We of fer pat ient s i n nov a t ive t her a pie s , h i g h- qu a l it y clinica l ser vices, a nd we combine that with other ser vices a nd ca re they need as humans to get through a very difficult time in their life." To ensure t his ca re is possible for p a t i e n t s , M e t h o d i s t H o s pi t a l a n d Methodist Children's Hospita l estab- l i s hed mu lt i l ayered i n f r a s t r uc t u re t o c a r e f o r a l l a s p e c t s o f p a t i e n t h e a l t h , i n c l u d i n g p e d i a t r i c - a n d a d u l t - d e s i g n a t e d s o c i a l w o r k e r s , chi ld life specia lists, dietitia ns, a nd psycholog ists focused on addressing p s yc ho s o ci a l ne e d s . D e d ic a t e d a r t therapists a nd pa r tnerships with loca l art and music nonprofits see to patients' emotiona l needs, a nd therapy dogs a re ava ilable to relieve patients' stress. " Wraparound care disting uishes our program," Dr. Eckrich says. " We're able to use our full complement of ser vices to t reat ver y h i g h-r isk pat ient s a nd produce exceptiona l outcomes." To l ear n m o re abo ut bl ood can ce r services at Methodist Healthcare, visit MethodistBMT.com . n Advanced, Attentive Care for Transplant Patients ME THODIST HE A LTHCA RE, IN partnership with Sarah Cannon Research Institute, employs a blood cancer navigator, Stephen Mazer, RN, to address the unique needs of blood cancer and transplant patients. Mazer assists patients in understanding the complexities of blood cancer care and treatment, as well as coordinating care and assistance in finding affordable housing and transportation. Follow-up care for allogeneic transplant patients includes the very immunocompromised patient (VIP) program. These patients receive a kit that includes an identification card and a thermometer to monitor for signs of infection. If the patient has a fever, he or she is able to go to any local ER and display the VIP card. ER staff will recognize the patient as one who requires rapid medical attention, including antibiotics and inpatient hospital care. Behyar Zoghi, MD, PhD, FACP, is a transplant physician, triple board-certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. He practices with the Adult Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant program at Texas Transplant Institute and Methodist Hospital, a member of the Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network. 0 8❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R S T O R Y