Noteworthy Issues in Cellular Therapy
An update on critical issues.

SUMMER 2008

Record-Breaking Number of Abstract Submissions
The AABB Annual Meeting is proving to be THE place for cellular therapy abstracts– with something special every day! On Saturday at 12:15 p.m. the Cellular Therapy Committee will host a CT abstract discussion at an Abstract Theater. This Abstract Theater session will feature abstracts chosen by the committee from the online and poster selections displayed on 42-inch plasma screens. The cozy, informal atmosphere will allow for interaction and lively discussion. So mark your calendar, grab a lunch and join us for Abstract Theater in the exhibit hall. There will be two sessions for oral abstract presentations in cellular therapy, both occurring on Sunday. In addition to two abstract poster presentation sessions during the meeting, a new “online only” category of posters will be viewable during the meeting. Whether it is the oral sessions, Abstract Theater or the poster viewing sessions, you will find an abundance of abstracts in cellular therapy, including expanded scientific and technical content, at the 2008 AABB Annual Meeting & TXPO.

Network, Mingle, Meet and Greet
Responding to member requests for additional networking opportunities, the 2008 meeting will offer three unique opportunities for cellular therapists. On Sunday, Cellular Therapy Laboratories: Real-Time Practice Survey and Discussion will allow participants to use hand held automatic feedback technology as they respond to common practice questions. Through this process, you will learn how your practices compare to those of other facilities. The best part? No text-messaging experience required!

Not sure what to do about the latest test-kit drama or which assay is the best for your product? Curious about how others track and document environmental monitoring? Sizzling Topics in Cellular Therapy will offer a luncheon discussion on these and related issues on Monday. The session is open only to those in cellular therapy and apheresis, and space is limited, so sign up today to reserve a seat! Note: Participants must select the luncheon when they register for the meeting.

Speed Dating for Cell Therapists: Round-Table Discussions
Rounding out the interactive sessions on Monday will be an energetic, multi-topic discussion. The format involves the use of several tables, each addressing different topics. Participants will self-select topics from categories such as call pay, electronic record keeping, developing new SOPs, endotoxin testing and creative methods for staff retention. Each small table will discuss and summarize the discussion. Participants then move on to the next table (topic). Guaranteed to get you moving and mingling, this session will provide an intimate opportunity to ask the difficult questions and get answers from your colleagues. Bring a few extra business cards, and get ready to meet and greet as you learn from each other. Check out these and other cellular therapy sessions by clicking here.

First-Time Attendee?
If this is your first AABB Annual Meeting & TXPO, we are excited to have you join us! Please plan to attend the orientation and mentor match up on Friday evening, and be sure to e-mail meeting@aabb.org and let them know you are in cellular therapy. We’ll be sure to match you up with a mentor for the meeting to help you get the most out of it.

Book Bash
AABB continues to help you keep your library current. For those who don’t usually purchase the AABB's Technical Manual, Core Principles in Cellular Therapy is a compilation of the four cellular therapy chapters from the manual’s just-released 16th edition. It’s an essential resource providing background and basic material for any cell processing laboratory. The third edition of AABB's Standards for Cellular Therapy Product Services — which goes into effect in September — is now available. Copies of both books will be at the Annual Meeting Bookstore for browsing and ordering; be sure to make that one of your main stops in Montreal.

Two other CT titles are in development for release in early 2009. In Cellular Therapy: Principles, Methods, and Regulations more than 50 contributors share their knowledge, skills and expertise on topics ranging from facility planning to SOPs for the manufacturing of mesenchymal stromal cells. A second resource explores supportive care guidelines for HSCT with a clinical focus that will be of interest to many.

Money, Money, Money
Unpleasant? Perhaps. Necessary? Definitely! The very survival of cellular therapy laboratories is dependent on proper reimbursement for procedures. CMS recently adopted new policies relating to stem cell processing reimbursement. In consultation with field experts, AABB has developed an FAQ addressing this new Medicare policy and its implications. These commonly asked questions and answers address current policy and practices. Facilities are also advised to consult persons responsible for the coding and billing of services at your institution, as well as your Medicare contractors, to ensure the correct coding and billing of the services you provide. As you are aware, CMS is collecting cost data to determine future payments. Update your charge master today. Your laboratory survival may depend on it!

Practice Snapshots
The response to our Practice Snapshots has been impressive thus far. Intended to provide a snapshot of current practices in specific areas, the brief surveys help facilities compare their practices to others. The current three-part series is on cryopreservation practices. Check out this and past surveys by clicking here. Thank you to all who respond to the surveys. If you have a suggestion for a topic, please e-mail it to celltherapy@aabb.org. New Snapshots are posted about every other month and announced in the Association News section of Weekly Report, which is sent to members on Fridays.

Update: ISBT 128 for Cellular Therapy
The U.S. Consensus Group has completed its work and The U.S. Consensus Standard for the Uniform Labeling of Cellular Therapy Products using ISBT 128 is posted for public comment until August 8 at www.iccbba.org. After the comments are addressed, a revised draft will be published, and software and label vendors will be able to begin developing templates and making changes to existing products and software. AABB will require use of the proper names and product terminology on labels when the third edition of Standards for Cellular Therapy Product Services, 3rd edition, takes effect September 1st.

Past Issues

Winter 2008
Fall 2007