Immune Thrombocytopenia Workshop (303)
Co-chairs: Victor S. Blanchette, MD, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Thomas Kuehne, MD, University Children’s Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
This ITP update will focus on complex secondary ITP in children—in particular, refractory, primary chronic ITP and the complex combined cytopenias in child-hood including Evan’s syndrome and autoimmune lymphoprolipherative syndrome (ALPS). The potential role of newer therapies such as anti-CD20 will be discussed.

Pediatric Cancer Workshop: Hematologic Support During Cancer Therapy (304)
Co-chairs: Jeffrey A. Moscow, MD, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY; Peter C. Adamson, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
This workshop will focus on two topics: (1) thresholds for prophylactic transfusions in pediatric cancer patients, and (2) the use of novel long-acting cytokines during chemotherapy.
 

After attending this session, participants should be able to:

1. Describe the immunosuppressive influence of cancer and its treatment on the immune system.
2. Discuss innovative approaches that attempt to use patients’ immune systems to destroy residual cancer following conventional treatment.

WORKSHOPS

Young Investigators’ Workshop (305)
Chair: Judith F. Margolin, MD, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Speakers: Patricia Massicotte, MD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
John M. Maris, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
This informal panel discussion will offer hematology/oncology fellows and junior faculty several perspectives on developing an academic career and insights on balancing the development of clinical and/or bench research programs with other patient care, teaching, and family responsibilities. Information concerning the COG Young Investigator Initiative as well as other young investigator funding and training opportunities will be presented. Participants will be encouraged to discuss issues of interest or concern with several current and recent young investigators to learn effective career management. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with each other.

Practice Management Workshop (306)
Chair: John J. Hutter, Jr., MD, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
The 2003 Practice Management Workshop will discuss strategies for contracting for pediatric hematology/oncology services. The session will also focus on conversion factors modeled for hematology/oncology. The workshop will encourage audience participation and discussion.

Hereditary Bleeding Disorders Workshop (307)
Co-chairs: Pedro A. de Alarcon, MD, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; Marilyn Manco-Johnson, MD, Mountain States Regional Hemophilia Center, Aurora, CO
Four cases involving rare coagulation disorders, hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease will be presented. Workshop participants will be asked to develop therapeutic guidelines for these clinical scenarios. A report on the management consensus developed at last year’s workshop will also be presented.
 

Attaining Hemostasis in the Pediatric Cancer Patient: Updates and Innovations (203)
Moderator: Harold Roberts, MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
Marcus E. Carr, Jr., MD PhD FACP, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA
Don Gabriel, MD PhD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
Stephanie Seremetis, MD, Novo-Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Princeton, NJ
Excessive bleeding can cause life-threatening complications in pediatric hematology/oncology patients. A thorough knowledge of hemostasis management techniques, established and new, is imperative for the pediatric hematologist/oncologist. This session will cover bleeding diatheses in pediatric patients, along with newly conceived perspectives pertaining to the coagulation cascade, monitoring of hemostatic agents, and an update on the use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Participants in the course will be able to discuss new theories of the coagulation cascade and the importance of monitoring the efficacy of hemostatic agents, explain the safety and efficacy of treatments used in bone marrow transplant related hemorrhage, and the hematologic indicators monitored in this condition. Participants will also be able to compare the advantages and disadvantages of treatments for hemorrhagic complications in pediatric hematology/oncology patients, and assess the most recent data available on the rFVIIa hemophilia clinical trials. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Enhancing Adherence to Challenging Treatment Regimens in Children and Adolescents (204)
Moderator: Ralph A. Gruppo, MD, Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
Leonard A.Valentino, MD, Rush Medical School, Chicago, IL
Prasad Mathew, MD, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
A number of factors have been shown to be associated with successful treatment adherence among families with children who have chronic diseases. This symposium will explore current research on adherence to complex treatment strategies in children and adolescents with chronic diseases, and is designed to help practitioners develop successful management strategies for children with conditions that require constant care. Participants in this session will be able to identify factors associated with adherence to challenging treatment regimens, describe what interventions can enhance adherence, educate caregivers on the management of central venous access devices, and encourage the transition of care from parents to adolescents. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
 

1. Identify the mechanisms leading to hematopoietic cell lineage commitment.
2. Discuss the role of cytokines in hematopoietic cell differentiation.

Histiocyte Workshop (308)
Co-chairs: Kenneth McClain, MD PhD, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX; Jan-Inge Henter, MD PhD, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
This session will update participants on the latest scientific discoveries in histiocytic diseases, including the findings presented at the Histiocyte Society meeting in Portugal. The workshop will discuss LCH-III pro-tocol, registration, and updates and present updated results of HLH-94 protocol and new HLH-2003 protocol.

Thrombotic Disorders Workshop (309)
Co-chairs: Patricia Massicotte, MD MSC FRCPC, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lori Luchtman-Jones, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Randomized, controlled trials for pediatric patients with thrombotic disorders are needed. Recommendations for the treatment and evaluation of thrombotic disorders in children are not well validated and are generally derived from studies and consensus statements for adult patients and from case series in children. The developing consortium of pediatric subspecialists who treat thrombotic disorders is identifying priorities for clinical studies and recruiting participating centers. Until results from pediatric studies are available, clinicians must continue to develop practice strategies. In this workshop, two cases illustrative of common thrombotic problems in pediatric patients will be discussed. Current publications and a panel of experts will be available to help the audience develop a rational approach to patient management.

Participants will work in groups to develop a diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for one of two clinical cases:

1. New-onset transient ischemic attack with patent foramen ovale.
2. Deep venous thrombosis.

At the conclusion of the session, recommendations will be presented to the entire group.
 

Sessions will be limited to 20 participants; tickets are required. To register for a session, please check the appropriate box on the registration form. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

Approaches to Management of Autoimmune Cytopenias (401)
George R. Buchanan, MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
The following topics will be the focus of discussion in this interactive session: initial management of children with ITP; optimal treatment of children with severe chronic refractory ITP (as well as the definition of such patients); diagnosis and management of chronic benign (autoimmune) neutropenia; and autoimmune hemolytic anemia during infancy and childhood: what is the prognosis and what are the treatment options?

Approaches to the Child with Hemolytic Anemia (402)
Bertil E. Glader, MD PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Participants will have the opportunity to present ideas, interesting or challenging cases, and gain new perspectives on the treatment of hemolytic anemia in children through a facilitated, informal discussion. Topics for discussion will include initial assessment and management of the child with hemolytic anemia, and enzymatic and membrane disorders that may cause hemolytic anemia.