Improving Childhood Blood Cancer Outcomes Through Stem Cell Transplantation

Childhood blood cancer continues to pose a significant health challenge in India, with over 30,000 new cases diagnosed and a mortality rate or figure of nearly 14000 yearly. Leukemia, the most common type of childhood blood cancer, affects children and teens aged 0-14 years and remains one of the leading causes of death due to cancer among this age group. The three types of leukemia in children are Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and, rarely, Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

A stem cell transplant is a beacon of hope and a promising treatment option for children battling blood cancer. One of the major obstacles in addressing childhood blood cancer in India is the lack of awareness and misinformation about the disease and its treatment options. Many people are unaware that blood cancer can be treated, and there is hope for a second chance at life through stem cell transplant. According to experts, stem cell transplant is the most effective treatment option and sometimes the only chance at survival for patients.

A stem cell transplant requires blood stem cells from a healthy matching stem cell donor. Unfortunately, only about 30% of patients needing a transplant can find a matching donor within their family. The remaining 70% rely on unrelated HLA-matched donors. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) are proteins, known as markers, used by the immune system to identify cells belonging to the body or foreign cells.

The collected blood stem cells from a donor are infused into the patient’s bloodstream during transplant, eventually settling in the bone marrow. These new stem cells multiply and produce healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, replacing the diseased cells.

Maheer, a 16-year-old boy from Ahmedabad, was diagnosed with blood cancer, and his family’s world turned upside down. However, their hope was restored when they learned about the potential of a blood stem cell transplant. With the help of an unrelated donor, Dr. Sita from Germany, Maheer received a life-saving stem cell transplant. Today, Maheer leads a normal life like any other child his age, all thanks to the generosity of a stranger.

Highlighting the urgent requirement to combat the shortage of blood stem cell donors in saving children from blood cancer, Patrick Paul, CEO of DKMS BMST Foundation India, stated, “More than 41 million potential unrelated stem cell donors are listed worldwide. However, only 0.04% of the Indian population is registered as stem cell donors. To address this disparity and save more lives, it is crucial to register a larger number of potential stem cell donors from India. With a population of over 1.42 billion and a rising incidence of blood cancer, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia, the need for Indian stem cell donors has never been greater.”

Children are the future of our country; let us join hands to be the lifesavers these children need. Together, we can give them a second chance at life and contribute to their brighter and healthier future. Registration as a stem cell donor is a simple process; interested citizens aged 18-55, can register by following 3 simple steps:

Step 1: Visit our website www.dkms-bmst.org/register , fill up an online form, and you will receive a DIY swab kit at home.

Step 2: Once you receive the swab kit, fill out the consent form and take a tissue sample from the inside of your cheeks with 3 cotton swabs provided in the kit.

Step 3: Send back your swab sample in the pre-paid envelope provided.

DKMS laboratory will then analyze your tissue type, and your details will be available in the global search for blood stem cell donors. If you do come up as a suitable donor, DKMS-BMST will get in touch with you. Your blood stem cells will be collected from the bloodstream via the Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection (PBSC) process, similar to a blood platelet donation wherein only your stem cells are taken. This is a safe, non-surgical outpatient process.

Since its inception in 2019, DKMS-BMST has helped 97 patients find a matching stem cell donor to undergo a lifesaving stem cell transplant and has registered over 90000 potential stem cell donors. The organization aims to register many more donors in India and worldwide to give as many patients a second chance at life as possible.