Varanasi : The Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University 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 pediatric 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 2 months of hospital stay. The transplant was carried out by Dr Vineeta Gupta, Dr Priyanka Aggarwal and their 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 S K Singh and Dr Dinesh Singh. Administrative support was provided by the Professor-Incharge Trauma Centre and the Head, Department of Pediatrics.
The cost of the procedure was one fifth of the cost at a corporate hospital. The Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology aims to extend these services to pediatric patients with other blood disorders such as aplastic anemia, thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. It is worth mentioning that this facility was inaugurated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the benefit of the patients of Purvanchal. The Division is working hard to fulfil the mandate for which this facility was created. Person of contact: Prof. Vineeta Gupta
