Principles of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

Principles of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy is organized by The Royal Marsden School and will be held from Mar 11 - Apr 23, 2025.

Course Summary:
The module will enable healthcare practitioners to examine and explore the complexities of caring for patients undergoing Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and Cellular Therapy, primarily Chimeric Antigen Receptor T- Cell therapy (CAR-T).  
The Principles of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy module will focus on the rationale and the evidence base for HSCT and CAR-T therapy, and the importance of delivering person -centred care. The module will enable learners to explore, analyse and evaluate, the principles of caring for these unique patient populations and the impact of these intricate treatment pathways on patients, carers, donors, and healthcare professionals. 
The module’s objectives and content are closely aligned to the EONS Cancer Nursing Education Framework (EONS 2018) and Career Pathway and Education Framework for Cancer Nursing (RCN 2022).

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module at Level 6 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

• Critically discuss the rationale for HSCT and CAR- T as a treatment modality
• Evaluate the complexities of HSCT and CAR-T treatments including biological responses to such treatment and explore their implications for contemporary approaches to HSCT and CAR-T care delivery
• Explore the impact of HSCT and CAR-T therapy for patients, carers and donors, including psycho-social and ethical components of care
• Analyse the evidence base for the care of patients or donors involved in HSCT and CAR-T and interventions to improve patient/donor experience and outcomes
• Evaluate the management of the potential short and long-term complications of HSCT and the role of the Health Care Professional

On successful completion of the module at Level 7 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the rationale and evidence base for HSCT and CAR-T as a treatment modality and the care of patients undergoing these complex treatment interventions 
• Analyse the complexities and management of HSCT and CAR-T treatments including biological responses to such treatments and critically explore their implications for contemporary approaches to HSCT care delivery
• Critically appraise the complexities and management of both short- and long-term complications post HSCT and CAR-T therapy and explore innovative approaches to improving patient/donor/carer experience and outcomes, including psycho-social and ethical dimensions
• Critically examine the professional discipline’s contribution to the supportive care needs of patients, donors or carers completing HSCT and CAR-T therapy living with and beyond the consequences of their treatment
• Critically assess the implications of national and international policy on HSCT and CAR-T service provision and practice and its relevance to different models of care delivery

Key Topics:
The module’s objectives and content are closely aligned to the EONS Cancer Nursing Education Framework (EONS 2018) and Career Pathway and Education Framework for Cancer Nursing (RCN 2022) and will include:

• Principles of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, (with an emphasis on CAR-T therapy)
• Introduction to Autologous and Allogeneic HSCT
• Introduction CAR-T and Immune Effector Cell Therapy
• Preparing the patient/ carer/ donor for HSCT and CAR-T therapy
• Stem cell mobilisation and collection, and Lymphocyte Collection for CAR-T therapy
• Donor Selection/ HLA Typing
• Care of the Donor
• The challenge of Acute and Chronic Graft Versus Host disease 
• The Patient Experience
• Caring for the immune-compromised patient
• Immediate, short and long-term complications of HSCT and CAR-T
• Living with and Beyond HSCT and CAR-T
• Models of HSCT and CAR-T delivery 
• The Holistic / MDT approach
• Ethical/ Psycho-Social Issues