Kolkata: Doctors at Narayana Health have reported successful outcomes in two complex cases involving a seven-year-old boy with thalassemia and a 62-year-old man diagnosed with primary CNS lymphoma. The child became free from regular blood transfusions following a haplo-cord transplant, while the older patient achieved complete disappearance of the disease after CAR T-cell therapy.
Seven-year-old becomes transfusion-free after haplo-cord transplant
The seven-year-old boy was diagnosed with HbE Beta thalassemia and required monthly blood transfusions. His family was counselled to enrol in the Save the Sibling programme.
His parents subsequently underwent IVF and pre-implantation genomic testing to have an HLA-matched sibling who was free from thalassemia. A haplo-cord transplant was then carried out using cord blood from the sibling along with stem cells from the father.
During the transplant, the child developed several complications, including infections, mucositis, liver dysfunction and persistently low blood counts. The medical team managed the complications, following which the child recovered well and is now transfusion-free.
The IVF procedure was undertaken after the sibling’s cord blood had been collected and stored by Cord Life Sciences India Pvt Ltd.
CAR T-cell therapy leads to complete disappearance of brain cancer
The second case involved a 62-year-old man who initially developed gait disturbance, an abnormality in the way a person walks or moves. Investigations subsequently diagnosed him with primary CNS lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting the central nervous system.
The patient underwent four cycles of high-dose chemotherapy, but the disease remained resistant to treatment. Given the aggressive and treatment-resistant nature of the cancer, doctors decided to proceed with CAR T-cell therapy.
He underwent lymphocyte collection, followed by radiation and other medications as bridging treatment. He then received dual CAR T-cell therapy targeting CD19 and CD22 proteins present on the cancer cells.
A follow-up MRI showed complete disappearance of the disease. The patient is currently stable and fit, according to the medical team.
Dr Joydeep Chakrabartty, Senior Consultant, Hemato Oncology and Clinical Lead – BMT Programme (East), Narayana Health, said the two cases represented significant milestones for the medical team. He said advanced approaches such as haplo-cord transplantation and CAR T-cell therapy had helped improve outcomes for patients facing potentially fatal conditions.
Dr Prasanta Chowdhury, Laboratory Director, Cord Life Sciences India Pvt Ltd, highlighted the medical, financial, ethical and scientific considerations surrounding cord blood banking and said the organisation had worked to address concerns related to cord blood storage and its use.
Ajit Kumar Bellamkonda, Facility Director, Narayana Hospital, Howrah & Chunavati, described the successful CAR T-cell therapy and haplo-cord transplant as an important milestone for Narayana Health and its efforts to improve patient outcomes.
Narayana Health has a network of hospitals and clinics across India and provides services across multiple medical specialties, including oncology and transplantation.
