The Division of Paediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has carried out the first allogeneic stem cell transplantation in an 11 years old child with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Blood Cancer) at BMT-SRC, IMS, BHU. This is the 15th stem cell transplant carried out by the division in the last two years. The first 14 transplants were autologous stem cell transplants where the stem cells were collected from the patient himself/herself. They were performed for paediatric solid tumors (tumors in abdomen and cancer of lymph nodes).
“For the allogeneic transplant, the donor was identified by HLA typing. Patient was found to have a full match with his elder sister. Stem cells were collected by the process of apheresis from the donor (elder sister) and given to the patient. Patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged after two months of hospital stay,” said Prof Vineeta Gupta, In-charge Division of Paediatric Hematology-Oncology, who carried out the rare transplant along with Dr Priyanka Aggarwal and the team of fellows, junior residents and nursing officers. This was supported by the team from Blood Bank under the guidance of Prof Sandip Kumar, Dr SK Singh and Dr Dinesh Singh and administrative support was provided by the Professor-Incharge Trauma Centre and the Head, Department of Paediatrics.
“The cost of the procedure was one fifth of the cost at the corporate hospital. The Division of Paediatric Hematology Oncology aims to extend these services to paediatric patients with other blood disorders such as aplastic anemia, thalassemia and sickle cell anemia,” Prof Gupta said, adding that this facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the benefit of the patients of Purvanchal (eastern UP). The Division is working hard to fulfill the mandate for which this facility was created.