Doctors achieve new feat in cancer treatment with cord transplant and Car T-cell therapy

In a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment, doctors from Narayana Health in West Bengal have successfully saved a seven-year-old boy with thalassaemia using a sophisticated Haplo Cord transplant process. The child, who required monthly blood transfusions, was diagnosed with HbE Beta thalassemia, prompting the parents to register under the "Save the Sibling" program.

Through IVF and pre-implantation genetic testing, a thalassemia-free sibling was created, compatible with the child's HLA. A haplo-cord transplant, utilizing cord blood from the sibling and stem cells from the father, was performed by Narayana Health. Despite complications including infections, mucositis, liver derangement, and low blood counts, the child recovered and is now transfusion-free.

In another medical milestone, a 62-year-old male from Myanmar with brain cancer underwent CAR T-cell therapy, an advanced form of immunotherapy. Initially exhibiting gait disturbance, he was later diagnosed with primary CNS lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After four cycles of high-dose chemotherapy proved ineffective, the doctors opted for CAR T-cell therapy.

The treatment involved collecting lymphocytes, bridging with radiation and other medications, and then administering a dual CAR targeting CD19 and CD22 on the cancer cells. Doctor Joydeep Chakrabartty, Senior Consultant in Hemato Oncology at Narayana Health, highlighted these cases as landmark achievements, noting the two patients faced potential fatalities but have been given new life through the innovative medical approaches.

Cord Life Sciences India Pvt. Limited's Prasanta Chowdhury emphasized the complex nature of cord blood banking, weighing private storage against public donation, while praising the compassionate and clear handling of these two cases.