Haploidentical Transplantation: A new option for people seeking a Donor Match
BLK has performed more than 650 Bone Marrow Transplants within a
short span of 4 years, at a success rate of over 80%, which is at par with
world’s best. The Centre attracts transplant patients not only from
India, but also from countries like Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria,
Kenya, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Nepal. Today,
more than 50% of the patients arrive from different parts of the world.
“In recent years, there have been dramatic breakthroughs in the field of
Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant, the latest being treatment
through Haploidentical Transplantation technique which virtually
eliminates the waiting period for people who need Bone Marrow
Transplants on urgent basis. Through this procedure, even if a donor's
tissues are only half identical with those of a recipient’s, it works just as
well as a complete match. The donor in this case may be the recipient's
parent, sibling, child or a family member,” said Dr. Choudhary.
In this transplant program, patients are first put though few days of
Chemotherapy / Immunotherapy or Radiotherapy as per the condition
of the patient before transplantation, just enough to suppress their
immune system without causing any harm to their organs. On the day of
the procedure, Haploidentical donor have their stem cells collected
either through Bone Marrow or Peripheral Blood.
THE CASE
Rahul is a young IITian who was working with HCL, Bangalore when he was first diagnosed with Plasma Cell
Leukaemia and had undergone Autologous Stem Cell Transplant which relapsed in just 3-4 months post
transplant. The disease was very aggressive and in search of cure he had visited various hospitals in the
country. Rahul was completely unaware about the treatment that would suit his condition the best. Morever,
finding a donor was an even bigger challenge. All national and international registries were checked but he
could not find the matching donor for transplant. Finally, he got to know about Dr. Choudhary and decided to
contact him.
THE PROCEDURE
Dr. Choudhary suggested half-match or Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant as a treatment option to him. In
his family, only his father and sister were his half match. After a few tests and deliberations, his sister was
selected as the donor. Rahul underwent the transplant procedure and much to everyone's relief, it was a
success.
THE RECOVERY
Six months after the surgery, Rahul is currently asymptomatic and doing fine. He has even started a group
named Yoddhas which has several members who are cancer survivors. He counsels patients from all over the
world about the treatment. He wishes to spread awareness about the disease and highlight the importance of
timely treatment to the ones in need.