When editors of a comprehensive reference book on stem cell transplantation needed experts to write chapters for the book, they turned to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Four College of Medicine faculty oncologists and hematologists answered the call — James Armitage, M.D., Phyllis Warkentin, M.D., Philip Bierman, M.D. and Peter Coccia, M.D.
UNMC’s stem cell transplantation program is considered to be world-class by many cancer experts, particularly for its treatment of lymphoma and leukemia.
Published by Wiley-Blackwell, the Thomas’ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation 2009 fourth edition is an international reference on stem cell transplantation – a treatment used in certain kinds of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood diseases.
“This is one of the most highly quoted text books used by physicians in the stem cell transplanation field,” said Julie M. Vose, M.D., Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor and chief of the section of hematology/oncology. “UNMC is very well represented in the authorship of the chapters demonstrating our strengths in the field.”
Dr. Armitage, world-renowned for his expertise in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, wrote the introductory chapter on the history of autologous transplantation. “It’s a big honor that the editors recognize him as the expert on everything that’s been done in autologous transplantation,” Dr. Coccia said. “UNMC’s program is one of the pioneer programs in the development and use of autologous transplantation.”
Dr. Warkentin, professor of pathology/microbiology and pediatrics, co-authored chapter 37 on regulatory aspects and accreditation of stem cell transplantation. Dr. Warkentin directs the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), which now is in its 13th year and was established at UNMC. The national group grants accreditation to programs performing stem cell and cord blood transplants.
Dr. Bierman, who is recognized for his expertise in lymphoma, co-authored chapter 59 titled, “Autologous and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Hodgkin’s Disease.
Dr. Coccia, M.D., authored chapter 76 on a rare inherited disorder, osteopetrosis, a disease for which transplantation is life-saving. He performed the first successful transplant for the disease.
The book, which also comes with a searchable CD and PDFs, can be ordered at www.wiley.com.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $82 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,600 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.