A bone marrow registry is a crucial resource for individuals battling blood-related diseases like leukaemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anaemia. It serves as a database of potential bone marrow donors, connecting those in need with compatible matches.
Published Sep 07, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 07, 2024 | 7:00 AM
A local body in Kerala pioneers community-based cancer screening model for India (Creative Commons)
A Kerala Bone Marrow Registry is being developed to address the critical challenges faced by leukemia patients in finding compatible donors for life-saving transplants in the state.
Led by the Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC) in Thalassery, in collaboration with the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), the project aims to improve the availability of matching stem cells, bringing new hope to those battling blood cancers.
The registry will create a comprehensive database of potential donors, ensuring quicker and more accurate matches for leukemia patients struggling to find suitable stem cell donors. The initiative is expected to not only increase the success rate of transplants but also reduce the high cost associated with the procedure, making it more accessible to patients.
Touted to be a first in the country in the public sector, the registry is expected to become a game-changer for leukaemia patients who have been waiting for a breakthrough in bone marrow transplants.
A bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found inside bones. It’s a vital part of the body, producing blood cells.
The Registry is expected to enhance the patients’ chances of recovery by streamlining the donor-matching process and integrating Kerala with global donor networks.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning will play a key role in this initiative, predicting transplant success and mitigating post-transplant complications. The Registry will also align with the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) guidelines, connecting patients in Kerala to a global network of donors, and ensuring a broader pool for matching.
According to the state health department, the Registry will become a major milestone in Kerala’s healthcare landscape.
“This initiative will not only increase the availability of compatible stem cells but also make bone marrow transplants more accessible and affordable for patients in our state,” a health official told South First.
The official further added that the Kerala Bone Marrow Registry is part of the broader Navakerala Karmapaddhati Ardram II programme, which focuses on cancer prevention and treatment.
It will be integrated with the Kerala Cancer Registry, allowing for efficient matching of donors and recipients.
With over 200 bone marrow transplants already completed at MCC, the registry will be a beacon of hope for many more patients suffering from leukaemia and related conditions.
However, the lack of sufficient donors has limited the number of patients who can benefit from this life-saving procedure. The registry is expected to address this issue by mobilising more individuals to become potential donors.
Efforts are also underway to mobilise more donors through awareness programmes conducted by MCC in partnership with blood donor associations.
Officials pointed out that the project’s digital infrastructure will streamline the multi-step process of donor-patient matching, automating registration, and ensuring smooth post-transplant follow-ups.
“MCC will act as the nodal agency for the pilot implementation of Kerala Bone Marrow Registry. K-DISC has been entrusted to engage a competent startup for the development and implementation of the Registry. To become a part of the WMDA, an annual membership of ₹5,01,199 will have to be paid and this cost will be borne by MCC,” added the official.
A bone marrow registry is a crucial resource for individuals battling blood-related diseases like leukaemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anaemia. It serves as a database of potential bone marrow donors, connecting those in need with compatible matches.
“For many patients with blood disorders, a bone marrow transplant is their only hope for survival. A registry provides a pool of potential donors, increasing the chances of finding a compatible match,” the official said.
“Joining a bone marrow registry is a way to give back to the community and potentially save someone’s life. It’s a simple act that can have a profound impact,” he added.
Health officials pointed out that bone marrow is usually collected in two ways – surgical and non-surgical. In the Bone Marrow Aspiration (surgical collection), the donor undergoes a surgical procedure under general or regional anesthesia.
A hollow needle is inserted into the pelvic bone (hipbone), usually in the back of the hip. The needle is used to withdraw liquid bone marrow. It will usually takes one to two hours.
Whereas, in the case of non-surgical Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection (PBSC), the donor is injected with a drug, Filgrastim, for five days before the procedure. This drug stimulates the production and release of stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream.
Blood is drawn from one arm, passed through a machine that separates the stem cells, and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor through the other arm. Each session takes about 4–6 hours, and the donor might need one or two sessions.
With a limited number of bone marrow registries in the country, the Kerala Bone Marrow Registry could indeed be a transformative tool, reshaping the way critical illnesses like leukaemia are treated and setting a new benchmark in healthcare accessibility and innovation.
The establishment of a state-based registry, integrated with the WMDA, can indeed broaden access to donors both locally and globally.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
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