Nursing Care Throughout the Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Process for Multiple Myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: Approvals of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) represent advancements in treatment options for a hard-to-treat population. Nursing care during CAR-T therapy is crucial for patients, their caregivers, and the broader CAR-T therapy care team. This manuscript provides an overview of the CAR-T therapy administration process and describes practical considerations for nursing professionals working with patients who receive CAR-T therapy. DATA SOURCES: Current literature describing CAR-T therapies for RRMM and published guidelines on nursing care during CAR-T therapy administration were identified from a PubMed database search. Literature was synthesized with practical considerations from nurses and nurse practitioners with expertise in the administration of CAR-T therapy for MM. A practical overview of the role of nursing professionals throughout all stages of CAR-T therapy administration for RRMM is provided. CONCLUSION: Planning, administration, and posttreatment monitoring for CAR-T therapy requires collaboration between nursing professionals and other healthcare providers as patients migrate between community oncology providers and specialized treatment centers. Nurses help with assessment of patient eligibility and patient and caregiver education before CAR-T therapy. They act in diverse roles across various settings involved in CAR-T therapy administration. Finally, nurses contribute to long-term identification and management of CAR-T-associated toxicities. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are crucial to the CAR-T therapy process and make significant contributions to optimizing patient care and subsequent outcomes.

Molecular Testing in Hematologic Malignancies.

Molecular testing technologies have been increasingly integrated into clinical research and are essential tools in the care of patients with hematologic malignancies. During this session at JADPRO Live Virtual 2021, Laura J. Zitella, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, AOCN®, reviewed key concepts for diagnostic testing with a focus on molecular testing (including cytogenetics, FISH, PCR, and next-generation sequencing) and discussed how to interpret the results for hematologic malignancies to inform prognosis as well as treatment.

Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners to Enhance Clinical Research.

Background: Oncology advanced practitioners (APs), including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, and clinical pharmacists contribute significantly to quality cancer care. Advanced practitioners enhance value across the spectrum of cancer care. Research is an underdeveloped component of quality care, as well as an underdeveloped component of AP practice. Understanding research-related attitudes and roles of APs could lead to enhanced clinical trial accrual, conduct, and protocol development. Methods: A nationwide survey addressing attitudes, beliefs, and roles of APs regarding clinical research was distributed by the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) and Harborside in early 2020. Results: 408 oncology APs completed the survey. Thirty-five percent practice in an academic setting and 62% in the community. Nearly all respondents believe clinical trials are important to improve care, and over 90% report clinical trials are available at their practice. About 80% report being comfortable discussing the topic of clinical trials with patients and are involved in the care of trial participants. Sixty percent are comfortable discussing available trials, and 38% routinely explore available trials with patients. While 70% report approaching eligible patients about trials, only 20% report doing so "a great deal" or "a lot." Ninety percent report that APs should play a role in clinical research, and 73% want to be more involved. Barriers identified to greater AP clinical trial involvement include lack of time, inadequate awareness of trial specifics, and a lack of a formal role in protocol development and leadership. Conclusions: Advanced practitioners are engaged and interested in clinical trials and believe clinical research is important to improve cancer care. Multidisciplinary team integration, trials-related education, and policy change are needed to employ APs to their full potential within cancer clinical trials.

Words Matter: Use of Respectful Language in Oncology.

During JADPRO Live Virtual 2020, Conference Chair Laura J. Zitella, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, AOCN®, spoke with Tatiana M. Prowell, MD, about overcoming implicit bias, the power of language, and creating a culture of respect in oncology for both patients and health-care professionals.

Approach to the Hospitalized Patient With Thrombocytopenia.

During the 2020 JADPRO Live Virtual conference, Laura J. Zitella, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, AOCN®, educated the audience on the most important causes of thrombocytopenia in hospitalized patients and diagnostic approaches to employ.

Prevention of Infection: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Practice Interventions for Management in Patients With Cancer

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related infections lead to increases in mortality, antibiotic use, and hospital stays. Other adverse outcomes include dose delays and reductions, which can result in suboptimal treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVES: Effective implementation of risk assessment and evidence-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of infection are essential to improve care and reduce costs related to infections in patients with cancer receiving immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Putting Evidence Into Practice (PEP) prevention of infection resource have been developed and updated to identify and disseminate the best available scientific evidence. FINDINGS: Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions were evaluated, resulting in recommended for practice rating for catheter care bundles, antimicrobial prophylaxis, vaccination for specific populations, and implementation of contact precautions for resistant organisms.

Advances in the Use of Immunotherapy in Oncology.

Innovations in cancer immunotherapy have created new options for patients and avenues for clinicians to practice precision medicine.

Putting evidence into practice: prevention of infection.

The prevention of infection is an important outcome to measure in patients with cancer because infectious complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Nurses play a vital role in the prevention of infection in patients with cancer through nursing practice, research, and patient education. However, many common nursing interventions to prevent infection are based on tradition or expert opinion and have not been subjected to scientific examination. The 2005 Oncology Nursing Society Prevention of Infection Outcomes Intervention Project Team reviewed, critiqued, and summarized the research evidence for nursing interventions to prevent infections in patients with cancer. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions were included because many advanced practice nurses prescribe medications. This article is an evidence-based review of nursing interventions to prevent infection in patients with cancer.