Page 62 - 2014 Printable Abstract Book
P. 62
Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) (awarded to Dr. N. I. Ossetrova). The views
expressed here are those of the authors; no endorsement by AFRRI has been given or inferred.]
(S1304) National preparedness for medical response to a nuclear and radiological incident - current
status and challenges. C. Norman Coleman, MD; Julie M. Sullivan, PhD; Judith L. Bader; Judith L. Bader;
Paula Murrain-Hill, MPH; and John F. Koerner, MPH, CIH, Office of Ass't Secy Prep and Response, DHHS,
Washington, DC
While prevention is clearly the top priority, should an incident occur effective planning, preparation and
training are necessary to ensure the best possible outcome for the casualties, the local/regional
community and the entire country. Recognizing that this would be an unprecedented disaster, resilience
is a key focus. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for health and medical
response per Emergency Support Function #8 and the Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex. To address
the multiple issues involved, a science-based multi-faceted systems approach has been developed
involving federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, private sector organizations, and
individual experts and volunteers. The result of efforts from government and non-government experts
connects the available capabilities, resources, and tools components into a Radiation Emergency
3
Management System (REMS) . It includes resources, tools, guidance, and capabilities that can be used to
support local and state planning for, response to, and recovery from the effects of a nuclear incident. Key
features of the REMS include a) availability of information through publication in peer-reviewed scientific
literature, b) ongoing formal exercises and evaluation among the sectors involved, and c) continuous
improvements based on new science and technology, experience and ideas. When possible, the concept
of dual utility is employed for medical countermeasures and diagnostics that have both emergency and
routine clinical use. Similarly, with the science-based approach to planning and response there is a need
for scientists and clinicians to assist in local/regional preparation for their communities so that people can
1
be well-informed regarding radiation injury and risk. Disclaimer: The paper is the opinion of the authors
and does not represent policy or conclusions of the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of
Health, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Department of
2
Health and Human Services or the U.S. Government. Acknowledgment: Many others from ASPR, USGov,
academia and emergency response participated in the preparation of the system for planning and
3
response to a nuclear incident. This has been presented, in part, at the 2014 NCRP meeting and is in a
manuscript under review.
S14 MODULATING IMMUNE RESPONSES WITH RADIATION
There is growing appreciation of the role of the immune response in the efficacy of radiation in
treating tumors. Radiotherapy by inducing immunogenic cell death can convert tumor cells into an
anticancer vaccine and stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytoki8nes, which can both target
responses to the tumor tissue and restore homeostasis.
(S1401) The immune balance following radiation fractionation. Dorthe Schaue, Univ of California Los
Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
60 | P a g e
expressed here are those of the authors; no endorsement by AFRRI has been given or inferred.]
(S1304) National preparedness for medical response to a nuclear and radiological incident - current
status and challenges. C. Norman Coleman, MD; Julie M. Sullivan, PhD; Judith L. Bader; Judith L. Bader;
Paula Murrain-Hill, MPH; and John F. Koerner, MPH, CIH, Office of Ass't Secy Prep and Response, DHHS,
Washington, DC
While prevention is clearly the top priority, should an incident occur effective planning, preparation and
training are necessary to ensure the best possible outcome for the casualties, the local/regional
community and the entire country. Recognizing that this would be an unprecedented disaster, resilience
is a key focus. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for health and medical
response per Emergency Support Function #8 and the Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex. To address
the multiple issues involved, a science-based multi-faceted systems approach has been developed
involving federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, private sector organizations, and
individual experts and volunteers. The result of efforts from government and non-government experts
connects the available capabilities, resources, and tools components into a Radiation Emergency
3
Management System (REMS) . It includes resources, tools, guidance, and capabilities that can be used to
support local and state planning for, response to, and recovery from the effects of a nuclear incident. Key
features of the REMS include a) availability of information through publication in peer-reviewed scientific
literature, b) ongoing formal exercises and evaluation among the sectors involved, and c) continuous
improvements based on new science and technology, experience and ideas. When possible, the concept
of dual utility is employed for medical countermeasures and diagnostics that have both emergency and
routine clinical use. Similarly, with the science-based approach to planning and response there is a need
for scientists and clinicians to assist in local/regional preparation for their communities so that people can
1
be well-informed regarding radiation injury and risk. Disclaimer: The paper is the opinion of the authors
and does not represent policy or conclusions of the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of
Health, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Department of
2
Health and Human Services or the U.S. Government. Acknowledgment: Many others from ASPR, USGov,
academia and emergency response participated in the preparation of the system for planning and
3
response to a nuclear incident. This has been presented, in part, at the 2014 NCRP meeting and is in a
manuscript under review.
S14 MODULATING IMMUNE RESPONSES WITH RADIATION
There is growing appreciation of the role of the immune response in the efficacy of radiation in
treating tumors. Radiotherapy by inducing immunogenic cell death can convert tumor cells into an
anticancer vaccine and stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytoki8nes, which can both target
responses to the tumor tissue and restore homeostasis.
(S1401) The immune balance following radiation fractionation. Dorthe Schaue, Univ of California Los
Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
60 | P a g e
