First haemopoietic stem cell transplantation centre at Dhaka Medical College Hospital: Outcome of 30 post-autologous stem cell transplanted cases

Abstract

Background: Bangladesh has started the journey of hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with successful autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma and lymphoma patients in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome of autologous stem cell transplanted patients for different haematological malignancies at DMCH under Department of Hematology and BMT unit.
 Methods: Retrospectively analysed 30 post transplanted patients at this centre from March 2014 to December 2017. Data were obtained from a local software that was used for keeping all the patient related documents in BMT unit of DMCH.
 Results: Two year Progression Free Survival (PFS) was 70.0% over a median observation period of 18 months. The cumulative incidence of relapse is 23.0% and transplant related mortality (TRM) in first 100 days was nil (0%). Demographic data were collected and complications of those patients.and challenges of stem cell transplantation in a developing country like Bangladesh were also identified.
 Conclusion: Establishing stem cell transplant unit was a challenge in government hospital and it was successfully done at in Dhaka Medical College Hospital with the support of the government. Getting experience on autologous stem cell transplant, the next approach will be launching allogeneic stem cell transplant for haematological malignancies, aplastic anaemia and thalassemia patients.
 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2019; 45: 97-102