State of the Science Symposia

The BMT CTN established a State of the Science Symposia in 2001 to provide a venue for network physicians and scientists and the larger cell therapy community to routinely provide input to the Network’s scientific agenda. During these symposia, Committees of experts identify areas of greatest need for multi-institutional trials in the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy landscape.

The first SOSS was organized by the National Institutes of Health in 2001 prior to establishment of the BMT CTN. The Network has since hosted Symposia every seven years (2007, 2014, 2021).

During each Symposium, Committee Chairs and assigned external reviewers present selected trial concepts, which are followed by discussion sessions to solicit feedback from the scientific community. After each Symposium, a review panel prioritizes concepts and designs a roadmap for future studies recommended for implementation by the US transplant and cell therapy community. Most concepts put forward at these Symposia have resulted in trials executed by the BMT CTN, National Clinical Trials Network Cooperative Groups, or other programs.

The 2021 Committees included:

Comorbidity & regimen related toxicity
Graft-versus-host disease
Hemoglobinopathies
Infection / immune reconstitution
Late effects / quality of life / economics
Lymphoid malignancies
Myeloid malignancies
Non-malignant disorders
Optimal donor and graft source
Pediatric malignant diseases
Plasma cell disorders

Two additional Committees served in an advisory capacity to all others:

Clinical trial design
Disparities and access to HCT

Available SOSS Documents: