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Apheresis Unit (Hematology)

Apherisis is a procedure that makes it possible to separate the various elements of the blood, in particular: 

  • the plasma (therapeutic plasmapherisis),
  • the red corpuscles (therapeutic erythropheresis),
  • the white corpuscles (therapeutic leucapheresis),
  • the hematopoietic stem cells (cytapheresis), essential for both analogous transplants (using cells taken from the patient) and allogenic transplants (using the cells of another donor). 

Apheresis is a technique of extraction by centrifugation in an extracorporeal blood circuit (CEC). The components not collected are reinjected into the donor. 

The Apheresis Unit at the Jules Bordet Institute receives, for the ULB-IRIS network as a whole, patients likely to benefit from the collection of stem cells. The Unit works in close cooperation with the various autotransplant centres for adults and with the Children's Hospital (HUDERF). 

We have been practicing apheresis in our service since 1970, with a nursing and technical staff trained especially for the purpose. Two doctors and four nurses are available and ensure the continuity of the medical care, in cooperation with the hematology service as a whole. The Unit has an emergency service that operates 24 hours a day. 

The harvest, handling and conservation of the hematopoietic stem cells is in accordance with good practices. Since 2009 we have been accredited under the inspection programme (JACIE, the "Joint Accreditation Committee of the ISCT and EBMT" ) which makes it possible to improve quality within the various teams involved in carrying out the hematopoietic transplants.  

The Apheresis Unit at the Jules Bordet Institute also gives our patients access to treatment using photopheresis. This treatment is indicated for Graft Versus Host Disease that does not respond to the standard treatment and in certain cases of skin lymphomas. 

 

Research projects


 

Project 1

A Phase II study to assess the safety and the efficacy of extracorporeal photopheresis using the Theraflex ECP™ for patients with refractory chronic GVHD

Our team

  • Responsible Physician
  • Physicians
  • Nurse(s)
    • Maud Caudron, head
    • Carmen Ayquipa Casas
    • Clotilde Aubrun
    • Denise Duthoit
    • Nicoleta Munteanu
    • Walter Bellemans
       
  • Qualitician
    • Aurélie Timmermans, head
    • Sfia Bourdji, Coordinator
    • Celia Meurillon, Coordinator
       
  • Secretary
    • Maryline Horvath

20/11/2023

 Scientific publications

Linking clinical and population-based data in older patients with cancer in Belgium: Feasibility and clinical outcomes.

Authors : Depoorter V, Vanschoenbeek K, Decoster L, De Schutter H, Debruyne PR, De Groof I, Bron D, Cornélis F, Luce S, Focan C, Verschaeve V, Debugne G, Langenaeken C, Van den Bulck H, Goeminne JC, Teurfs W, Jerusalem G, Schrijvers D, Petit B, Rasschaert M, Praet JP, Vandenborre K, Milisen K, Flamaing J, Kenis C, Verdoodt F, Wildiers H
Year : 2023
Journal : J Geriatr Oncol
Pages : 101428

Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Natural Nanocarriers: Concise Review.

Authors : Draguet F, Bouland C, Dubois N, Bron D, Meuleman N, Stamatopoulos B, Lagneaux L
Year : 2023
Journal : Pharmaceutics
Volume : 15

Incidence of falls and fall-related injuries and their predictive factors in frail older persons with cancer: a multicenter study.

Authors : Kenis C, Decoster L, Flamaing J, Debruyne PR, De Groof I, Focan C, Cornélis F, Verschaeve V, Bachmann C, Bron D, Van den Bulck H, Schrijvers D, Langenaeken C, Specenier P, Jerusalem G, Praet JP, De Cock J, Lobelle JP, Wildiers H, Milisen K
Year : 2022
Journal : BMC Geriatr
Volume : 22
Pages : 877

Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel for Patients With Triple-class Exposed Multiple Myeloma: Adjusted Comparison of CARTITUDE-1 Patient Outcomes Versus Real-world Clinical Practice.

Authors : Delforge M, Vekemans MC, Depaus J, Meuleman N, Van de Velde A, Vande Broek I, Vandervennet S, Van Hoorenbeeck S, Moorkens E, Strens D, Diels J, Ghilotti F, Haefliger B, Dalhuisen S, Deraedt W, Anguille S
Year : 2022
Journal : Hemasphere
Volume : 6
Pages : e813

Functional status in older patients with cancer and a frailty risk profile: A multicenter observational study.

Authors : Meert G, Kenis C, Milisen K, Debruyne PR, De Groof I, Focan C, Cornélis F, Verschaeve V, Bachmann C, Bron D, Den Bulck HV, Schrijvers D, Langenaeken C, Specenier P, Jerusalem G, Praet JP, Lobelle JP, Flamaing J, Wildiers H, Decoster L
Year : 2022
Journal : J Geriatr Oncol
Volume : 13
Pages : 1162-1171