Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation
Overview
Overview: The stem cells of a cancer patient are often destroyed due to radiation or chemotherapy delivered for cancer treatment. Some healthy stem cells can be transferred to the body through a process called Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. These healthy stem cells are taken from the patient's close relative's bone marrow. The donor may also be an unrelated person if they have a genetic resemblance to the patient, which is called matched unrelated donor (MUD).
2. Alternate name: Stem cell transplant
3. Body Location: Bone marrow
4. How performed: It is always preferred to take the stem cells from a relative than an unknown person due to the risk of mismatching blood cells. So, it is best to use the stem cells of a sibling or first cousin. The procedure of an allogeneic bone marrow transplant is almost the same as that of an autologous transplant. It takes more than an hour to complete the blood transfusion process, through which fresh stem cells are introduced into the body of the patient. Intravenous injection is used to deliver the blood cells directly into the patient's veins. This transplant helps restore the number of stem cells destroyed by intensive cancer treatment. This transplantation process is painless, and the patient does not need any anaesthesia to be unconscious.
5. Preparation:
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are taken from the donor's white blood cells or some tissues to match with that of the receiver. The stem cells of the donor are matched with that of the patient. Sometimes, stem cells can also be taken from the placenta of newborn babies or fetuses.
The patient is given very high doses of chemotherapy or strong radiation waves to kill the maximum number of cancerous cells before proceeding with stem cell transplantation. This rigorous treatment procedure is medically termed a conditioning regimen, done at least 2 days before the transplant. It is essential to make the patient physically ready for receiving the transplant of healthy stem cells.
An injection of lymphocytes taken from the donor is administered to the patient to increase the graft-versus-tumour effect. This effect destroys all the damaged stem cells that could not be eliminated by chemotherapy or radiation.
6. Procedure type: Intravenous injection of stem blood cells
7. Follow up: The attending team of haematologists will closely monitor the health condition after receiving healthy stem cells. There are risks of several side effects, some of which can be fatal. This monitoring process may last for a couple of months, during which the patient needs to live in the hospital only. Doctors conduct regular blood tests to monitor the health condition of the patient. They prescribe suitable medicines to cure ordinary side effects, like dizziness or stomach upset. Moreover, the patient needs to visit the haematologist for follow-up appointments at regular intervals throughout their life.
8. Risks: Various health complications can arise after the stem cell transplant in a cancer patient.
Nausea
Diarrhea
Damage to internal organs
Infection due to high doses of chemotherapy
Graft versus host disease (GVHD)
Failure in stem cell grafting
Cataract
Infertility
Cancer in other parts of the body
Sudden death
Recovery: The recovery process after the bone marrow transplant, the recovery process may take several months. The transplanted stem cells reach the patient's bone marrow and start multiplying to fill up the vacant place of destroyed stem cells. The time taken for this multiplication process may be a few weeks or even longer, depending on the patient's health condition. The patient should follow the diet chart with salt and alcohol intake restrictions. Doctors advise these patients to undergo light exercises to strengthen their bones and muscles. A patient should strictly follow all the guidelines recommended by their doctor to maintain a healthy body and avoid any new cancer attack.
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