Polish Donor's Stem Cells Save Kashmiri Boy from Rare Immune Disorder
A three-year-old boy from Kashmir suffering from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune condition, has been successfully treated through a stem cell transplant at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar. The stem cells were donated by a matched unrelated donor from Poland, with transportation and donor identification facilitated by the Germany-based DKMS bone marrow donor registry.
HLH is a hyperinflammatory disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its own organs and healthy blood cells. Without treatment, it is fatal. The only curative option for genetic forms of the disease is a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant. The boy's family had previously lost a daughter to the same disease three years ago.
When the boy began showing similar symptoms—weakness, weight loss, low platelet count, and enlarged liver and spleen—his father brought him to SKIMS. Doctors diagnosed HLH and initiated treatment. However, no matching donor was found within the family. Through the international donor network, a suitable donor was located in Poland. The stem cells were transported to SKIMS, and the transplant was performed successfully a few days ago.
Prof. M Ashraf Ganie, director of SKIMS, stated that this was the first matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant performed at the institute. He highlighted the significance of the achievement, noting that only a few centres in India carry out such procedures. He also urged people to register as potential stem cell donors to help save more lives.
Dr Reshma Roshan, associate professor at SKIMS, along with Prof Sajad Ahmad Geelani and Dr Afaq Ahmad Khan, who were part of the treatment team, confirmed that the child is now stable and healthy. He was discharged from the hospital and will remain on outpatient follow-up.
The boy's father expressed gratitude and appealed for the establishment of a donor registration facility at SKIMS, pledging to be the first registrant. Prof. Geelani explained that while sibling donors are preferred due to lower complication risks, MUD transplants are a viable option when no family match exists. He also assured that stem cell donation is safe for donors.
This case underscores the importance of international collaboration in healthcare and the potential of stem cell registries to provide life-saving treatments for patients with rare diseases.
