Canadian Apheresis Group

Welcome to CAG
It is now 29 years since the Canadian Apheresis Group (CAG) was formed. It first began with a small planning meeting at Health Canada which was funded by the then Minister of Health, Monique Begin. At that time, it was thought that plasma exchange might be of benefit in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer. If this proved to be true, it was reasoned that we would use all of the plasma the Red Cross collected just for these two diseases. So, some planning was necessary.

Since that time, a great deal of planning has been underway and the CAG and its partner group, the Canadian Association of Apheresis Nurses (CAAN), have published many definitive papers in the field. Some of these have defined treatment in certain disorders - such as TTP and, most recently, renal disease in Myeloma.

We started with only 5 centres and now represent the activities of 43 different sites. We treat approximately 1000 patients per year and carry out over 10,000 procedures each year. The appropriate choice of fluid and the number of treatments needed remain undetermined for most disorders that we treat. This area will be a major focus of activity in the future.

As we celebrate our 29th year, it is with great pride that we recognize that the activities in Canada have been used as a model for the development of similar organizations in other countries.

We got it right and we did it early! We are now considering two new national trials, one in Rituximab and Plasma Exchange (PE) for TTP and another to look at using a low molecular weight starch instead of albumin as replacement fluid. This latter study will have considerable impact on security of supply and also on cost.

Column apheresis procedures are increasing in use. Will the health care system support this use or will this be done externally? Answers to these questions will define practice and this maybe soon.

So, as has been said before - much has been done but much remains to be done. If we continue to work together; we can do it.

Happy Birthday CAG / CAAN!

Gail Rock,
Chair