New book for clinical providers fills a critical gap in care of hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

A new textbook for clinical providers combining the expertise of pulmonologists, intensivists, and oncologists highlights the scholarship and important scientific contributions of several Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University (WSU) faculty members and fellows.

Ayman Soubani, M.D., pulmonologist, service chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care, member of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant and Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) at Karmanos, professor of Internal Medicine and chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at WSU School of Medicine, is the editor of “Pulmonary and Critical Care Considerations of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation,” the first textbook to discuss in depth the titular topic.

“This is a sophisticated treatment approach for the management of a variety of malignant and nonmalignant conditions,” Dr. Soubani said. “In this treatment, the patients receive high doses of chemotherapy and radiation followed by transfusion of stem cells that are harvested beforehand from the patients themselves or from other donors. While the intent of this treatment is to cure the underlying malignancy, it is associated with a variety of infectious and noninfectious conditions that affect the outcome of these patients. Several of these complications involve the respiratory system or are associated with critical illness.”

The book begins with an overview of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and graft versus host disease. Chapters cover particular complications, including immunological changes in the lungs, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, bronchiolitis obliterans, and pulmonary fibrosis. Other complications, including neurologic, renal, gastrointestinal and cardiac, are discussed. The book also provides insight into matters that arise during the care of HSCT patients, such as provider burnout, nursing care, intensive care unit organization, nutritional support, and pulmonary and physical rehabilitation.

As editor, Dr. Souboni recruited experts nationally and internationally who provided a state-of-the-art approach to the diagnosis and management of the conditions that could develop following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, representing the best in the field of hematology oncology, pulmonary and intensive care, infectious diseases and other specialties.

Among them was Pranatharthi Chandrasekar, M.D., infectious disease specialist, member of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant MDT at Karmanos, professor of Internal Medicine and chief of the department’s Division of Infectious Diseases at Karmanos and WSU.

“The book highlights the significant role played by Karmanos Cancer Center and Wayne State University in the field of stem cell transplantation. Collaborating with Geetha Sivasubramanian, a colleague from the University of California, we contributed a chapter regarding a serious mold infection in this population,” Dr. Chandrasekar said. “The book should serve as a useful reference for all health care practitioners caring for this vulnerable group that is increasing in numbers around the world.”

Several chapters were written or co-written by additional experts from Karmanos and WSU, in which Karmanos is home to the largest stem cell transplant center in Michigan and one of the oldest in the nation. They include Joseph Uberti, M.D., Ph.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, leader of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant MDT, professor at WSU School of Medicine; Abhinav Deol, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, member of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant, Hematology Oncology and Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis MDTs, professor; Dipenkumar Modi, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, member of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant and the Hematology Oncology MDT, assistant professor; Pulmonary and Critical Care fellow Dr. Cassondra Cramer-Bour; and alumni fellows Drs. Aryan Shiari and Sammar Alsuanid.

“We are particularly proud that fellows in training at our programs contributed to some of these chapters,” Dr. Soubani said.

“An important niche that existed in the literature addressing infectious and non-infectious pulmonary and critical care complications among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been filled by this book,” Dr. Chandresekar added.

Originally published at Today@Wayne.

Ayman Soubani, M.D.