HISTORY AND GROWTH
- The AUBMC Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Program saw fruition in July 2004 with the opening of a dedicated BMT unit. The program is currently the pioneering transplant program in Lebanon and is witnessing a steady growth despite the difficult circumstances in Lebanon.
- The first transplants took place at AUBMC in 1998, treating 13 patients, before the formal establishment of a dedicated program. The program has so far treated 1282 patients since its inception, out of which 271 are pediatric and 1011 are adults.
- The program is also the first to perform unrelated donor transplant, mismatch and haplo-identical transplant in Lebanon. Our center attracts patients from Lebanon and the region. The program also participates in transplant research and is an active member of the European (EBMT) and Eastern Mediterranean (EMBMT) Bone Marrow Transplantation groups.
- Outcome results from AUBMC BMT program bench-mark with the most prestigious BMT programs in North America and Western Europe. The program received the JACIE accreditation in 2016, being the only internationally accredited program in Lebanon and one of eight worldwide outside Europe and North America. It is the second such accredited program in the MENA region.
- On August 30, 2019, AUBMC celebrated a landmark achievement of crossing the 1000 bone marrow transplants since its fruition in 2004, with 80% patients being adults and 20 % being children.
- Results from the AUBMC BMT program benchmark with the most prestigious BMT programs in North America and Western Europe, whereby it is the first program to perform unrelated donor transplants, mismatch and haplo-identical transplants in Lebanon.
MISSION AND VISION
Our Mission
The BMT Program at AUBMC aims to reduce the burden of cancer in Lebanon and the region through the provision of high-quality, compassionate, and state-of-the-art care. We shall make every effort to utilize the transplantation-based therapies and expertise to serve your personalized needs to eliminate cancer. Our program has a strong dedication to clinical and basic science research and to advancing the field of BMT. We aim to maintain our well-recognized program nationally and internationally for its cutting-edge basic, clinical, and translational cancer research, particularly in the field of hematological malignancies and grow our research activities focused on developing targeted therapies for human leukemia.
Our Vision
The BMT Program at AUBMC aspires to be a leading institute for cancer treatment with stem cell transplantation through the promotion of excellence in patient care, research, and education and enhancing effectiveness and collaboration among cancer programs and healthcare providers.
DIVISIONS & servICES
Our commitment to patients goes beyond the delivery of sophisticated care; we respect the individual needs of all those who seek our care and work to empower patients with the knowledge and support they need to face cancer.
The BMT program provides consultation services and care to patients with benign and malignant hematological diseases in Lebanon and the region.
The BMT program benefits from 5 major service units :
- Dedicated BMT Clinics: Adult and Pediatric Oncology Clinics
- Adult Ambulatory Infusion Center (Outpatient) and Pediatric Ambulatory Infusion Center (Outpatient)
- Adult Inpatient Unit and Pediatric Inpatient Unit
- Stem Cell Transplant Unit
Services Offered at the BMT program:
- Autologous Transplantation: The patient donates her/his own peripheral stem cells (or sometimes bone marrow) prior to treatment for re-infusion later.
- Allogeneic Transplantation: The person giving the bone marrow or stem cells is a family member or a volunteer donor:
a. Matched related : The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a full matched HLA, usually a brother or sister
b. Matched Unrelated Allogeneic Transplantation (MUD): The person donating marrow is unrelated to the patient. Chances of finding an unrelated compatible donor from the general population depends on the uniqueness of tissue type
c. Haplo Identical Transplantation: The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a half matched HLA (Father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter)
d. Syngeneic Transplantation: The person donating the bone marrow or stem cells is an identical twin.
BMT procedures encompass the range of necessary laboratory medicine workup as well as molecular and genetics testing, listed in the Patient Care Services section.
When the patient is diagnosed to have leukemia, aplastic anemia, and some lymphomas, it becomes crucial to replace the unhealthy marrow with a healthy one. Allogeneic, unrelated, and syngeneic bone marrow transplantations (BMT’s) are most commonly used in persons with those diseases.
While in lymphomas and multiple myeloma, an autologous BMT is usually done.
- Cellular therapy:
- Donor lymphocyte infusion : The lymphocytes of the donor of an allogeneic transplantation are infused to the patient (recipient) to induce graft versus leukemia/lymphoma (prevention or treatment of relapse) or for loss of chimerism
- Stem cell boost: The donor stem cells are selected (CD34+ cells) and infused to the patient (recipient) to enhance engraftment (primary or secondary graft failure)
- Extracorporeal photopheresis: the patient’s white blood cells are treated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation for treatment of acute or chronic graft versus host disease
- Stem cell collection:
- Autologous peripheral stem cell collection : The patient’s stem cells are harvested via apheresis
- Allogeneic peripheral stem cell collection : The donor’s stem cells are harvested via apheresis
- Bone marrow harvesting: The patient’s or donor’s bone marrow are harvested in the operating room under general anesthesia
- Stem cell services:
- Stem cell Processing, Cryopreservation, and Storage in liquid Nitrogen
- Thawing and Release of the Stem Cell Collect
- Bone marrow harvest processing and release
- Storage of harvested autologous and allogeneic stem cells or bone marrow. These are stored at -80 C for future transplants.
WHY COME TO US
Medical centers that offer bone marrow transplantation (BMT) services are increasing, and this makes deciding where to seek BMT therapies more difficult. Here are some reasons why the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) is your best hope for BMT.
Expertise
- The AUBMC BMT program is an official member (number CIC369) of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group (EBMT).
- The program received the prestigious Joint Accreditation Committee of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) (JACIE) accreditation for its Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Europe’s official accreditation body in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and cellular therapy accreditation in 2016, being the only internationally accredited program in Lebanon and one of eight worldwide outside Europe and North America.
- The program is currently the pioneering transplant program in Lebanon and is witnessing unprecedented growth (45 transplants in 2011, 103 transplants in 2016 including 52 allogeneic BMT).
- The program is the first to perform unrelated donor transplant, mismatch and haplo-identical transplants in Lebanon, and over 100 stem cell transplants annually.
- We use and develop front-line diagnostic technology: helping physicians pinpoint each patient’s unique needs and tailor treatment for the best possible outcome.
- The BMT program’s group of specialized nurses healthcare workers trained in BMT care and dedicated oncology pharmacists as part of the multi-disciplinary team in order to provide patients with the utmost attention and quality care (AUBMC is the first healthcare facility with MAGNET designation in the Middle East Region, a nursing accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- The BMT Program is well-recognized nationally and internationally for its cutting-edge research in the field of hematological malignancies and published in leading scientific journals, namely “The New England Journal of Medicine”, “Science”, “The Lancet Oncology”, “Blood”, and “Cancer Research”.
The BMT program also benefits from a collaboration with the Naef. K. Basile Cancer Institute’s newly established clinical programs for the comprehensive treatment of cancer:
FACULTY
Clinical Instuctor, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist
dn17@aub.edu.lb
Ext: 8164
Her work had a special focus on transplant patients since her fellowship as she participated in pre-transplant planning and post-transplant immediate and long-term follow-up. She has a special interest in immune deficiency patients and has co-authored a few articles related to Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) and is currently reviewing AUBMC’s experience with transplants in pediatric PID patients.
STAFF
Rita Nehme, RN
Coordinator, Bone Marrow Transplantation Program
Ext: 7106
Rita graduated from “Sainte Famille” University Batroun with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2004, In 2005, she joined AUBMC. After 5 years as bedside nurse in the bone marrow transplant unit, she became the Bone Marrow transplant nurse coordinator and data manager in 2011.
Her professionalism and passion towards her job allowed her a state of the art database that was recognized by JACIE accrediting body.
Ammar Zahreddine, RN
Quality control officer, Case manager, Bone Marrow Transplantation Program
Ext: 7714
Ammar is a qualified nurse since 1996 after a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Makassed University in Beirut, and a master’s degree in nursing from AUB in June 2020. He worked in Lebanon and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fields of hematology, stem cell transplant, palliative care, and nursing education, as well as a community health nurse in the field of sexual health and rights.
Ammar joined AUBMC in the capacity of a registered nurse at the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit in 2009 and has been assuming the role of Nurse Case Manager and Quality/Accreditation Officer for the BMT Program since 2015. He has also been working on achieving and maintaining the JACIE accreditation status of the program.
Nariman Hariss, R.N., MBA
Pediatric Oncology nurse
Pediatric Oncology Transplant Coordinator
nh24@aub.edu.lb
Ext: 8108 8109
A pediatric oncology nurse and bone marrow transplant coordinator working at Children Cancer Center/outpatient. Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lebanese University/faculty of Public Health and with a master’s degree in Business administration specialized in hospital administration in 2012.
Joined AUBMC in the capacity of a registered nurse at pediatric floor in 2000 and transferred to oncology area in 2006 and has been assuming the role of pediatric bone marrow transplant coordinator since 2013. Working on achieving and maintaining JACIE accreditation status with our BMT team.
Nabila Kreidieh, MLT
Senior Clinical Lab Scientist, Stem cell processing laboratory
nk22@aub.edu.lb
Ext: 5235
A qualified medical laboratory technologist obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory technology from American University of Beirut (AUB) in 1988. Worked at AUBMC as a medical technologist at Blood Bank, Hematology and Cytogenetics labs since 1995.
Trained on Stem cell processing in Cleveland clinics in 2000 and certified in Stem cell Biology from Ulster University in 2015. Participated in setting up the stem cell processing laboratory (SCPL) at AUBMC and has been assuming the role of a clinical laboratory specialist in-charge of SCPL since year 2000.
Working on achieving and maintaining the CAP and JACIE accreditation status of the section.
Administration
Celine Abou Karam, RN, MLC
Ext: 7903
EDUCATION
- The main objective behind the 3-year fellowship program at the Division of Hematology Oncology-Department of Internal Medicine at AUBMC is to train specialists to serve in the region and identify unique individuals with outstanding research potential for further training in the United States. Hematology Oncology physicians are involved in training residents and fellows in both the Inpatient (including the BMT Unit) and Outpatient Units.
- The Department of Internal Medicine – Hematology Oncology has a three years fellowship program starting at the level of PGY IV. Each candidate is required to have completed his/her residency in internal medicine. Non-AUB graduate applicants to the fellowship programs should sit for an English proficiency examination.
- Interested applicants need to fill out an online application on the Graduate Medical Education (GME) website from mid -November to the first of January and submit the required papers to the GME Office. For more information on the specific programs, eligibility criteria and requirements, and applications, please visit the GME website.
Directors of the Educational Programs
Iman Abou Dalle, MD
Assistant Professor, Hematology Oncology
Director, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program
Hematology Oncology Department
Ext: 7980
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Tumor Boards and Patient Coordination Meetings
Every Monday 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm
BMT Journal Club / Malignant Hematology Lecture
BMT Conference Room, 8th floor
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
Every Wednesday 9:00 am – 11:00 am
BMT Inpatient Multi-disciplinary Meeting
BMT Conference Room, 8th floor
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
Every Wednesday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
HSCT Planning Meeting
BMT Conference Room, 8th floor
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
Every Wednesday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Leukemia & Lymphoma Activity
BMT Conference Room, 8th floor
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
Every Thursday 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Pediatric BMT Meeting
Meeting conducted through Webex
Dr. Miguel Abboud
Once a month on Thursday 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
AUBMC-MD Anderson Cancer Center Leukemia/Lymphoma Teleconference
Dean’s Conference Room
Dr. Ali Bazarbachi
FAQS
How can I take an appointment with the bone marrow transplantation program?
To schedule an appointment or contact us, please refer to the numbers listed below:
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION PROGRAM
BMT unit coordinator 01 – 350000 ext. 7106
BMT case manager 01-350000 ext. 7714
AUBMC, Phase II, 8th floor
EMAIL US: bmtu@aub.edu.lb
Bone Marrow Transplantation Program service units:
- Adult Oncology Clinics – Tel: 01-374444 Ext: 8656/8657
- Pediatric Oncology Clinics- Ext: 7858/8107
- Adult Ambulatory Hematology Oncology Infusion Center – Ext: 7621/2/3/4
- Pediatric Ambulatory Hematology Oncology Infusion Center – Ext: 8109
- Adult Inpatient Unit – Ext: 6281
- Pediatric Inpatient Unit – Ext 7640/7645
- Stem Cell Transplant Unit – Ext: 7090/1
BMT program administration:
Telephone: 00961 – 1 – 350 000 ext. 7903
For International Patients Visit the following link.
Does the BMT program perform different types of transplants?
The AUBMC BMT unit performs different types of transplants depending on the type of bone marrow donation:
- Autologous Transplantation: The patient donates her/his own peripheral stem cells (or sometimes bone marrow) prior to treatment for re-infusion later.
- Allogeneic Transplantation: The person giving the bone marrow or stem cells is a family member or a volunteer donor:
a. Matched related : The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a full matched HLA, usually a brother or sister
b. Matched Unrelated Allogeneic Transplantation (MUD): The person donating marrow is unrelated to the patient. Chances of finding an unrelated compatible donor from the general population depends on the uniqueness of tissue type
c. Haplo Identical Transplantation: The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a half matched HLA (Father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter)
d. Syngeneic Transplantation: The person donating the bone marrow or stem cells is an identical twin.
What patient ages does the BMT program treat?
The BMT program treats both pediatric and adult cancer patients.
How can I find more information on the Bone Marrow Transplant procedure?
A patient education guide on Bone Marrow Transplant is available online at our patient information resources section. It does not replace any discussion you might hold with your doctor. Feel free to share with us all your questions and concerns: EMAIL US: bmtu@aub.edu.lb
Do you support patients financially?
- The BMT program supports patients through the Cancer Support Fund (CSF), a charitable organization launched in 2018. The Cancer Support Fund offers financial, assistance and emotional and psychosocial support to financially disadvantaged adult cancer patients in need, assuring that they have equal opportunity to receive appropriate healthcare services.
The CSF provides Adult Cancer Patients with financial support as assessed by the AUBMC Social Services Department with no discrimination based on gender or religion.
All patients presenting to AUBMC can also request the support of the Social Services Department, which serves as a link between the patient, community organizations, and other AUBMC staff, for evaluation and assistance. The Social Services Department is comprised of eligible individuals specialized in assisting patients with a range of social, emotional, family, and health-related problems.
Can we donate money?
We welcome your financial donations to support all needy adult cancer patients. If interested please contact the Cancer Support Fund:
Phone: 00961-1-350000 ext.: 7746 / 7903
Fax: 00961-1-350000 ext: 7900
Email: info@csf-lebanon.org
Facebook: Cancer Support Fund
Instagram: CancerSupFUnd
FOR DONATIONS:
Please consult the American University of Beirut Cancer Support Fund’s dedicated Giving Page or click the image below.
QUICK LINKS