HCG Cancer Centre performs 1st half matched stem cell BMT in Central India

 

 

The Department of Haematology and Stem cell transplant at HCG Cancer Centre Nagpur created history again by performing the first half-matched allogeneic sibling stem cell transplant in a 6-year-old boy suffering from a rare bone marrow failure syndrome called Fanconi’s Anaemia (FA).

 

This was revealed by Venkateswarlu Marapaka, COO of HCG Cancer Centre, Nagpur while speaking at a press conference on Tuesday. Dr Parag Ingle, Dr Manjit Rajput, Dr Ranjit Bajaj and Dr Vaibhav Sonwani were also present.

Dr Nishad Dhakate said, “The patient and his two sisters were HLA typed and unfortunately, they were only half-matched with each other. Luckily, his elder sister who is 12 years old was completely normal and agreed to donate stem cells to his brother. His sister underwent some blood tests and was found to be fit for stem cell donation,” Dr Dhakate said.

 

These stem cells cells were then infused intravenously in the patient. He was treated with antibiotic, immunosuppressants and irradiated blood products. By day 13 post stem cell transplant, his bone marrow started forming new blood cells and is completely transfusion dependent with normal number of blood cells, he said. At present the patient is at the transplant unit of the centre and will remain here for another 4 to 5 days before discharge, Dr Dhakate added.