Key Developments

On March 15, 2024, a new Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit was launched at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Hospital for Children. Funded by the National Health Mission and State government, the unit features five BMT rooms and a dedicated operation theatre for bone marrow harvest. It aims to perform 60 transplants annually.
On February 14, 2024, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine discovered potential treatments for two types of complications following bone marrow transplants. These transplants are often used to treat leukemia and other blood cancers. However, a common issue called graft vs. host disease (GvHD) occurs when donated cells attack the recipient's cells.
In December 2023, doctors at Department of Hematology & Stem Cell Transplantation at Army Hospital R&R performed a successful bone marrow transplant (BMT) on 7-year-old Master Sushant Paudel, who had a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder. Despite the absence of a suitable donor, the hematology team orchestrated the transplant, offering hope for others with similar conditions.
In March 2022, new research from The General Hospital Corporation offered promising insights for bone marrow and stem cell transplantation in patients with blood-related diseases. Scientists have identified a distinctive gene signature expressed by hematopoietic stem cells, which are crucial for generating healthy blood cells post-transplantation.
In May 2020, Gamida Cell Ltd., a pioneering cell therapy company dedicated to combatting blood cancer and severe blood disorders, announced favorable topline findings from its Phase 3 clinical trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of omidubicel. This investigational advanced cell therapy is being developed as a potentially life-saving treatment for patients requiring bone marrow transplants.