Navigating the Intersection: Collaborative Management of Complex Cases in Transfusion Medicine and Biotherapies

Proposed Session Description: Advanced cell and gene therapies, broadly known as biotherapies, are transforming medicine for patients with cancer, hemoglobinopathies, and genetic disorders. With growing clinical use of these therapies, transfusion services, immunohematology reference laboratories (IRL), and genomics labs are encountering more patients with histories that confound optimal management. What happens when a sickle cell patient with complex antibodies requires a preparative RBC regimen for marrow suppression, or when a transfusion service detects the first signs of HPC transplant graft failure?
This session utilizes a case-based, multidisciplinary approach to illustrate how laboratory professionals navigate these high-stakes scenarios. Participants will have the opportunity to respond to poll questions regarding a variety of topics—from serologic and molecular assays to chimerism testing—to facilitate decoding results and avoid "transfusion terrors". Through real-world examples, the faculty will highlight strategies for interprofessional communication and data sharing across organizations to ensure patient safety and uninterrupted clinical operations.