Department of pediatric hematology and immunology

The department focuses on the following activities :

• Chemotherapy and immunotherapy for malignant hematologic disorders (acute and chronic leukemias, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, Hodgkin disease)

• Management of severe “benign” hematologic disorders (congenital or acquired bone marrow failure, hemoglobinopathies)

• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – first department in France

• CAR-T cell therapy for leukemia – first department in France

• Gene therapy using hematopoietic stem cells for leukodystrophies and hemoglobinopathies

• Development of new drugs in hemato-oncology and immunology (targeted therapies, immunotherapy)

The department treats patients aged 0 to 18 years and has a capacity of 36 beds.

It also carries out additional missions as a:

• Reference center for the Île-de-France Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Network (RIFHOP)

• Contributing center of the interregional pediatric oncology organization CANPEDIF, certified by the French National Cancer Institute

• Member of the APHP Nord Université Paris Cité Cancer Institute

• Center of the French Society for the Fight Against Childhood and Adolescent Cancers and Leukemias (SFCE)

• ITCC Center

The care team consists of nurses and pediatric nurses, childcare assistants, hospital secretaries, medical-administrative staff and logisticians, dietitians, teaching staff, an early childhood educator, an activity coordinator, psychologists, and social workers.

The department also has a clinical research team composed of one physician, two research engineers, and a clinical research coordinator.

Several reference nurses carry out specific care-related tasks, both during the day and at night, to ensure continuity, quality, and safety of patient care. They also support new staff in becoming familiar with the department’s practices.

Two care coordination nurses manage patients’ care pathways, structuring communication sessions and providing individualized support in collaboration with the medical team. They also organize hospital discharge in coordination with external healthcare facilities, community professionals, and assist families in preparing for the return home.

Two transplant coordination nurses organize the complex pathways of patients before and after allogeneic transplantation, in collaboration with referring teams, inpatient units, and partner services.

Two therapeutic education programs are in place within the department, one dedicated to acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the other to allogeneic transplants. These programs are coordinated by a reference nurse trained in Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE).

Various association-linked professionals interact with patients and families during hospitalization, including:

• Clowns from the “LE RIRE MEDECIN” association

• Volunteers from the “PRINCESSE MARGOT” association

• A reflexologist

• A socio-esthetician

• Staff from CAMI Sport

• Volunteers from the “BASKET AUX PIEDS” association

• Volunteers from the “MON-A” association

• Volunteers from the “LA CHAINE DE L’ESPOIR” association