A proposal for sectorial organizing and quality standards in therapeutic apheresis: The therapeutic apheresis unit (TAU) standards.

Therapeutic apheresis (TA) includes a wide range of therapeutic procedures based on the separation of blood components and the collection of cells with therapeutic activity or the removal of unwanted plasma or cellular components involved in the etiology of various hematologic, renal, neurological, and medical diseases. The complexity of these interventions requires an organizing model to assure a proper clinical environment, technology, quality requirements, and personnel as well as an active system for outcome monitoring for safety and efficacy. Finally, a structured organizing model may favor the efficiency of the TA unit and economic affordability. Here, we describe the more relevant characteristics of a model of TA standards, named TA unit (TAU) standards, that may help to establish a quality program in units working in the field of TA (shown as supplementary material and available at http://www.ifeit.org/pdf/TAU_Standards_3.0.pdf.

Cancer Immunotherapy Using Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressing T-Cells: Present and Future Needs of Clinical Cancer Centers.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cells (CAR-T) are considered novel biological agents, designed to selectively attack cancer cells expressing specific antigens, with demonstrated clinical activity in patients affected with relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies. In consideration of their complexity, the use of CAR-T requires dedicated clinical setting and health care practitioners with expertise in the selection, treatment, and management of toxicities and side effects. Such issue appears particularly important when contextualized in the rapid progress of CAR-T cell treatment, translating into a constant need of updating and evolution. Moreover, the clinical grade manufacturing of CAR-T cells is complex and implies articulated regulatory and organizational aspects. The main goal of this review is to summarize and provide an accurate analysis of the clinical, logistic, and regulatory requirements of CAR-T cell centers. Finally, we describe a new occupational figure called "CAR-T specialist" devoted to the establishment and coordination of the required facilities and regulatory landscape in the context of cancer centers.