Autologous Transplantation

An autologous transplant involves high-dose chemotherapy followed by infusion of the patient’s own previously collected peripheral blood stem cells or bone marrow. The chemotherapy treatments are given to eliminate cancer cells in the body. Infusion of new marrow or peripheral blood stem cells replaces the marrow destroyed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Allogeneic Transplantation

An allogeneic transplant involves high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, followed by infusion of donor bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. The marrow or stem cells come from an appropriately HLA (immune)-matched related or unrelated donor.

Haploidentical Donor Transplantation

This procedure uses HLA half-matched (haplotype) donors such as biological parents, children, or half-matched siblings for allogeneic transplantation. The ability to use haploidentical donors is of special relevance to patients who do not have HLA-matched sibling or unrelated donor options.

STEP 1:

Pre-Transplant Workup

STEP 2:

• Investigations & Tests
• Blood Tests
• Chest and Skeletal Survey (X-Rays)
• CT and PET Scans (if required)
• Echocardiogram & ECG
• Pulmonary Function Test
• Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration
• 24hrs Urine Test

STEP 3:

• Harvesting of Stem cells
• Infusion of Stem cells

STEP 4:

Legal Approvals

As per law, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad is bound to consider only those donors eligible to donate bone marrow for transplant who are blood relatives to patients. It can be First-degree relatives i.e., Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Wife, Son & Daughter, or Second Degree relatives such as Brothers Son or Cousins, etc. This process involves meticulous investigation from Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) to prove the relationship of donor and patient is accurate and that patient is not under any financial or mental pressure to donate bone marrow. After the clearance from Human Organ Transplant Authority, the patient and donor are cleared to carry on with Bone Marrow Transplant.

Transplant Eligibility

Following factors are considered for patient’s transplant eligibility

• Age
• General physical condition.
• Cause of illness.
• Reactions to previous treatments.
• Availability of the donor (Only for Allogeneic BMT).

Duration of Hospitalization and Treatment

BMT is usually done on an inpatient basis lasting approximately

• Autologous (03 weeks)
• Allogeneic (3 – 4 weeks)

The patient will be admitted for at least 3-4 weeks & the donor will be admitted for 2-3 days during the course of treatment while It may take several months for the patient’s blood cells to be regenerated to normal levels & up to 2 years before patient’s immune system is fully functional.