Hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was developed in the early 1970s and was recognised as a potential treatment for a number of benign and malignant haematological diseases. Since then, the field has grown into a full specialty. Keeping pace with technological advances, this area has also seen evolution as regards to indications, availability of donor in family (an HLA identical sibling) or outside HLA matched unrelated donor (with the help of bone marrow donor registries) or haploidentical donor from parent or sibling.
In India, this treatment was started in 1983. The progress was slow initially, but has picked up in the last two decades. Currently, more than 110 centres are doing transplant. As per the Indian Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry, 23,843 patients underwent HSCT till 2021. Of these, 13,962 underwent allogenic HSCT (using stem cells from a donor), and 9,881 autologous HSCT (using patient's own stem cells). Multiple myeloma and lymphomas (Hodgkin's and Non Hodgkin's) are major indications for autologous HSCT, while acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML),ẞ-Thalassemia, severe aplastic anaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia are major indications for allogeneic HSCT.
This story is from the December 01, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
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This story is from the December 01, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
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Efficiency and innovation
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Level up
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HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
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Mind matters
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Cutting edge
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The smallest cut
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Signalling a revolution
Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin
Wellness on demand
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A CHINESE STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL of the American Heart Association suggests that middle aged and older adults with sensory impairments, specifically hearing and vision loss, have an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks.
PETTICOAT CANCER AND THE SARI LINK
TYING YOUR UNDERSKIRT (petticoat) tightly around the waist when wearing a sari, can lead to \"petticoat cancer\" or \"sari cancer,\" as it was previously called. Tying the underskirt too tightly can cause constant cord friction that can lead to chronic inflammation, skin ulceration and, in rare cases, skin cancer.
