Publications by authors named "Maritza Alencar"

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA) is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication. HSCT-TMA is often underdiagnosed due to multifactorial pathophysiology and a historic lack of standard diagnostic criteria. Identification of the multi-hit hypothesis and the key role of the complement system, particularly the lectin pathway of complement, has led to development of treatments targeting the underlying pathogenesis of HSCT-TMA.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rapid advances in the field of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), as well as the advent of immune effector cell therapy (IEC), have resulted in an increasing number of patients undergoing these therapies and an increasing level of expertise required to manage them. Previous guidelines for the training of HCT physicians were last published in 2012. In recognition of the expanding knowledge base and increasing skill set essential to the delivery of these treatment modalities, the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Committee on Education has updated these guidelines to reflect nearly a decade of new knowledge in the field of HCT, as well as the evolution of IEC from an experimental modality to a widely used and mainstream therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The use of haploidentical or HLA-mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD) allows allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in individuals without suitable matched donors. Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is used routinely for prevention of graft-versus-host disease in recipients of haploidentical transplants, and its use has been recently explored in MMUD transplantation. We compared the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and rate of lymphocyte recovery between PTCy MMUD and alternative transplantation modalities.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

During JADPRO Live Virtual 2020, Maritza Alencar, DNP, MBA, APRN-BC, BMTCN, described advances in the management and prevention of infectious disease complications and graft-vs.-host disease following transplant. Dr.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, a diverse team was formed in South Florida to rapidly develop testing capabilities for SARS-CoV-2 using various detection methods.
  • * The team faced challenges with reagent shortages but successfully collaborated with scientists and diagnostic labs to establish authorized testing protocols and drive-through facilities.
  • * Over a swift three-week period, they organized a workforce to process samples and launched a smart test ordering system, increasing testing capacity significantly to serve hundreds of healthcare workers and patients daily.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Shingrix is poorly immunogenic following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation independent of age, CD4, and B-cell recovery. In hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients with antibody response to the vaccine, varicella zoster virus reactivation risk is not null.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Many patients are referred to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy programs from outside their primary oncology setting and community. Collaboration between the referring and treating providers is required to coordinate safe and effective care.

Objectives: This article presents an overview of key considerations for referring providers and institutions prior to and following CAR T-cell therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Formal training is an important mechanism to assist the new generation of nurse practitioners (NPs) entering the complex field of oncology. The growing number of patients with cancer and the expansion of treatment options demand structured oncology training to support the transition of novice advanced practice nurses to the field. Oncology NP fellowships are a potential solution for those seeking training centered on the management of patients with cancer.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The optimal viral load threshold at which to initiate preemptive cytomegalovirus (CMV) therapy in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients remains to be defined. In an effort to address this question, we conducted a retrospective study of 174 allogeneic HCT recipients who underwent transplantation at a single center between August 2012 and April 2016. During this period, preemptive therapy was initiated at the discretion of the treating clinician.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viral infections constitute a major complication following solid organ and stem cell transplantation. Few therapeutic options are currently available for the treatment of such infections in highly immunocompromised hosts. Brincidofovir is an oral investigational drug with broad antiviral activity against dsDNA viruses in vitro, but clinical experience is limited.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF