Bone Marrow & STEM Cell Transplant

INTRODUCTION

Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Shifa International hospitals Ltd. takes pride in offering comprehensive services under the supervision of Internationally trained Consultants and an integrated team for nursing care, technical support, HLA typing, Stem cell storage and processing, Apheresis services, among others.

The Bone Marrow transplant started in 2009. Since its inception more than 250 patients have benefitted from the program – bringing a ray of light to several families in Pakistan and abroad.

The BMT team has been managing most challenging cases in the region including high-risk malignancies (Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, and Germ Cell Tumors) and benign hematologic diseases (Aplastic Anemia, Thalassemia, PNH, etc.)

We have expanded the number of beds to attend to Pediatric cases. This has enabled in increasing our capacity from 50 transplants to 100 transplants a year.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SHIFA BMT PROGRAM

  • Shifa BMT program is registered with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) in Wisconsin, USA, to report outcomes.
  • Shifa Bone Marrow Transplant Program is approved for Clinical Hematology Fellowship by the prestigious Post Graduate Medical education accreditation body – College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan.
  • Dedicated unit for treatment of all blood & bone marrow diseases including blood cancers and others.
  • State-of-the-art 8 bed HEPA filter unit.
  • Daycare services & in-ward facilities including rooms that are fully equipped to minimize transmission of infection.
  • We are providing treatments for Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, Germ Cell Tumors, Aplastic Anemia, Thalassemia – the most common blood and bone marrow malignancies and diseases in the region.
  • The Center offers the most economical packages PKR 2 to 2.5 million – (Approx. 16000 USD) as compared to 20,000 to 60,000 USD in the region.

OUR TEAM

Kamran Rashid
MBBS, DAB (INTERNAL MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY/ ONCOLOGY)

Dr. Kamran Rasheed

MEMBER COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS, PAKISTAN

Major General ® Dr. Tariq M. Satti, H.I. (M)

Dr Azhar Shaafi
MBBS, FCPS (INTERNAL MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY/ ONCOLOGY), MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY

Dr. Azhar Shafi

Ayaz Mir
MBBS, DAB (INTERNAL MEDICINE & HEMATOLOGY)

Dr. Muhammad Ayaz Younus Mir

MBBS, DAB (INTERNAL MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY/ ONCOLOGY)

Dr. Kamran Rasheed

CONSULTANT BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT SPECIALIST

Dr. Kamran Rasheed is among founding members of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Shifa International Hospital. He possesses vast experience in treating common to complex bone marrow transplant cases. Dr. Kamran is a Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Haematology, and American Board of Oncology. He has completed fellowship in Bone Marrow Transplant at North Western University (USA).

MEMBER COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS, PAKISTAN

Major General ® Dr. Tariq M. Satti, H.I. (M)

Fellow College of Physicians and Surgeons (Hematology),
Fellow Royal College of Pathology (HAEM), BMT Certification (U.K.)
Consultant Hematologist & Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist

Maj. Gen (R) Dr. Tariq Mahmood Satti completed his training in Bone Marrow Transplantation from St. George’s Hospital, London, (U.K.). He is also a pioneer in the field of Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplants in Pakistan. He also worked as Professor of Clinical Haematology and Commandant Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center/ National Institute of Blood & Marrow Transplant (AFBMTC/ NIBMT) Rawalpindi.
He was conferred the Award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (M) by the President of Pakistan in 2018.

MBBS, FCPS (INTERNAL MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY/ ONCOLOGY), MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY

Dr. Azhar Shafi

CONSULTANT HAEMATOLOGIST

Dr. Azhar Shafi has Fellowship in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology from College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has served as a specialist in Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KSA) for many years. Dr. Azhar has also experience in working in Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore.

MBBS, DAB (INTERNAL MEDICINE & HEMATOLOGY)

Dr. Muhammad Ayaz Younus Mir

FELLOWSHIP BMT, MAYO CLINIC
DIRECTOR BONE MARROW AND STEM CELL TRANSPLANT

Dr. Ayaz A. Mir is Clinical Chief Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Shifa International Hospital. Dr. Ayaz Mir has served as a Resident in Medicine & a Fellow in Hematology at State University of New York in Buffalo U.S. He has completed his fellowship in Bone Marrow Transplant from internationally renowned Mayo Clinic, Minnesota (U.S).Dr. Ayaz is a Diplomate American Board of Hematology and Internal Medicine.

TYPES OF TRANSPLANT

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.

PROCESS FLOW OF BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT

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:

QUICK FACTS

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.