Stem Cell transplant therapy boon to cancer-affected children

New Delhi, June 12 (UNI) Treatment of cancer affected children is now less complicated due to stem cell transplant therapy, according to Singapore-based paediatric haematologist-Oncologist consultant Dr Anselm Chi-wai Lee.

Dr Anselm told a press conference over the weekend that "Children with leukaemia or other cancers, as well as some severe inherited immunodeficiency diseases and blood disorders, may benefit from a transplant of hematopoietic stem cells commonly known as a bone marrow transplant. The term hematopoietic stem cell transplant acknowledges the fact that the stem cells that are necessary to regenerate blood and immune functions can now be obtained from peripheral or umbilical cord blood as well as from bone marrow." Dr Anselm, an expert on cancer and blood disease in children, claims to be the first person who transplanted bone marrow for leukaemia patient and transplanted the original cell from umbilical cord successfully.

Honoured with Croucher Foundation Fellowship in 1990 and member of many esteemed medical societies such as International Society of paediatric oncology, paediatric society of Hong-Kong, Dr Lee termed the stem cell therapy as the promising hope for the future which can be a remedy of leukaemia and other cancer related diseases.

Dr Anselm said "one in every 500 children will develop cancer before their 18th birthday." However, with effective treatment, 70 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer can be cured, he added.

Children with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (except acute promyleocytic leukaemia) and high risk or recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukaemia are the usual candidates for allogeneic Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

Children with stage four neuroblastomas and advanced or recurrent solid tumours are now commonly treated with high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous HSCT.

Besides malignant disorders, children with severe haematological disease including aplastic anaemia, thalassemia sickle cell anaemia, congenital bone marrow failure syndrome, primary immunodeficiency and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are candidates for allogeneic HSCT.

Dr Anselm said cancer treatment can be done with best combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radio therapy and biological agents. Other aspects are also considered such as pain management, nutritional management, play therapy as well as parent empowering therapy. "We can beat cancer with contemporary medicines," concluded Dr Anselm.

To enable Indian patients to access the stem cell therapy and other medical services of Parkway Health Group, he said international patient assistance centres have been established in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Punjab and Ludhiana.

UNI