Nurses’ reported training needs for advanced cell therapies: a survey on behalf of the Nurses Group of the EBMT

Clinical Hematology International, vol. 6, pp. 104–113

Abstract

Background: Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) for human use have advanced globally with the rapid adoption of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies in haemato-oncology. CAR-T cell therapy and ATMPs have unique, significant acute and chronic toxicities, and appropriate patient care is crucial. Significant challenges, including the need for nurse education and training, accompany optimal patient success and benefits. Objectives: This study aimed to describe nurses' training needs in relation to ATMP management and patient care. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, based on a previously tested questionnaire developed in the UK. Findings: 109 complete responses from 86 different centers from 24 countries were returned (1207 distributed). Over 1/3 reported experience delivering licensed ATMPs (CAR-T). High-priority training areas included a general introduction to ATMPs, toxicity management, product-specific information, and regulatory frameworks for ATMPs. A clear need for ATMP-specific training exists and is regarded as important. Training prior to implementation is key and should be supported by ongoing competency maintenance. Counseling, patient support, and long-term follow-up are identified for future training and opportunities for nurse experience sharing in this rapidly evolving field.

Authors 11

1. Michelle Kenyon

   King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Haematological Medicine, 4th Floor Hambledon Wing West, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom

2. Sarah Jayne Liptrott

   Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale · Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli · Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nursing, Regional Hospital of Bellinzona e Valli, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), via Gallino 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland

   Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), via Gallino 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland

3. Annika Malmborg Kisch

   Lund University · Skåne University Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden

   Institute of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

4. Jarl Mooyaart Aachen EBMT Leiden Statistical Unit

   European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

   Affiliation as printed

   EBMT Leiden Statistical Unit, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Brian Piepenbroek Aachen EBMT Leiden Study Unit

   European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

   Affiliation as printed

   EBMT Leiden Study Unit, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands

6. Daphna Hutt

   Sheba Medical Center · Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Paediatric Hematology-Oncology and BMT, Edmond and lily Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical center, Ramat-Gan 5265601 Israel

7. Isabel Salcedo

   Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda

   Affiliation as printed

   Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia Arana. Calle Joaquín Rodrigo 2, 28222 Majadahonda, Spain

8. Annalisa Ruggeri

   IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele · Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele

   Affiliation as printed

   Dept of Hematology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20135 Milano, Italy

9. Christian Chabannon

   Inserm · Aix-Marseille Université · Institut Paoli-Calmettes

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre de Thérapie Cellulaire. Institut Paoli-Calmettes Comprehensive Cancer Centre & module Biothérapies du Centre d’Investigations Cliniques de Marseille, Inserm CBT-1409, Aix-Marseille Université, AP-HM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes. Marseille, France

10. Rose Ellard

    Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

11. John Murray

    The Christie Hospital

    Affiliation as printed

    Haematology and Transplant Unit The Christie NHS FT, Manchester, United Kingdom