In a ground-breaking medical success, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre (HCGMCC) marked a significant milestone by successfully performing three complex stem cell transplants simultaneously. For the first time, three patients, a female aged 52 years and two males aged 37 and 33 years were admitted on October 28, 2024, and discharged together on December 1, 2024, all with smiles on their faces.
The first female patient, diagnosed with multiple myeloma and chronic kidney disease, underwent a critical autologous stem cell transplant. The Second patient diagnosed with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma underwent successful autologous Stem Cell Transplant and the third patient, battling high-risk leukaemia, underwent a complex half-match allogeneic transplant.
The transplant for all three patients was successfully conducted by Dr Priyatesh Dwivedi, Hemato-oncology and BMT Specialist, along with his dedicated team. This accomplishment adds another milestone for HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, which now boasts a remarkable record of 26 successful transplants within just 24 months.
“An autologous stem cell transplant involves harvesting a patient’s own stem cells and re-infusing them after intensive chemotherapy or radiation. For our first patient, this procedure was particularly complex due to significantly elevated creatinine levels, increasing the risk of acute kidney injury.
However, with meticulous planning and the application of Modified Protocols, we successfully overcame these challenges, achieving a positive outcome,” says Dr Priyatesh Dwivedi. The second transplant was complicated because of poor stem cell yield after the first stem cell harvest.
Typically, at least two million stem cells are required for stem cell transplant but, only 0.86 million stem cells could be harvested. After the first stem cell collection, predicting poor stem cell yield during the second stem cell harvest, Dr Priyatesh Dwivedi used a novel modified chemo mobilisation procedure instead of going for a second stem cell harvest.
With this chemo mobilisation procedure, adequate stem cell were harvested and successful transplant was done. “Our second patient, a relapsed or refractory lymphoma case with chronic hepatitis B, encountered significant challenges during the initial stem cell mobilization, which failed to yield sufficient Stem cells for transplantation.
Through a specialized chemo-mobilization procedure, we successfully collected the adequate stem cells. Similarly, the third patient presented a high-risk leukaemia case with heightened dangers of graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease and underwent successful half match transplant. Despite these complexities, we successfully performed these transplants with the team’s expertise and determination,” adds Dr Dwivedi.
“The achievement reflects our commitment to providing advanced medical care with precision and compassion. Successfully completing three transplants, including a critical half-match procedure, is a testament to the skill and dedication of our multidisciplinary team,” concludes Dr Raj Nagarkar, MD & Chief of Surgical Oncology & Robotic Services, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre (HCGMCC).
About HCG Manavata Cancer Centre (HCGMCC):
Established in 2007 by Dr Raj Nagarkar, HCGMCC – Nashik is Central India's first NABH-accredited facility. With over 50 consultant oncologists, 900 staff members and a 275-bed capacity, HCGMCC is a leading institution, offering holistic cancer treatment. Specializing in surgical, radiation and medical oncology, the centre has conducted 65,000 surgeries, including 1,100 plus robotic-assisted procedures.
Patient-centric and multidisciplinary, HCGMCC recommends treatments to individual needs. Beyond clinical excellence, the centre’s financial aid programs underscore its commitment to accessibility and community well-being, redefining cancer care in the pursuit of a cancer-free future.