A team of highly specialised researchers at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) has successfully carried out the first stem cell transplants in Qatar.  The treatments were used to help 2 patients beat myeloma.

Myeloma is a form of cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is a particularly aggressive blood cancer that can quickly spread to other parts of the body.

The stem cell transplants are a significant step forward for treating this form of cancer.  The procedure was performed on two expatriates with the disease.

Stem cells are a very useful treatment for many forms of cancer including Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Biphenotypic Leukemia and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has an advanced stem cell program in Qatar.  The program began by collecting patient’s own stem cells for transplanting at a later date.  The stem cells were collected from the peripheral blood of the patients.

The procedure used by NCCCR is a more advanced technique.  It involved harvesting stem cells from patients, then examining and processing those cells very carefully. The patient then underwent chemotherapy to remove any traces of myeloma from their bone marrow. Finally, the healthy stem cells were transplanted back into the patient.

The healthy stem cells can re-establish the body’s ability to generate healthy blood cells and restore immune system function.

HMC Managing Director Dr Hanan Al Kuwari explained the benefit of having the procedure available in Qatar, saying: “Up until now, patients who would benefit from this type of advanced treatment would have to have been treated abroad. This increased their risk of infection, due to the travel involved, and meant the recovery time was longer than it would be if we were able to treat them here in Qatar. As such, this is a tremendous step forward for Hamad as an academic healthcare provider and for our blood cancer patients who are in real need of this highly specialised treatment.”

Dr Al Kuwari emphasised the collaborative nature of the research and available stem cell treatments, saying:  “We have been working with some of the worlds’ leading experts in the field to set up a programme that adheres to international best practice and standards and that is sustainable here in Qatar.”

Now that doctors have successfully performed the first stem cell transplants in Qatar, patient outcomes are expected to dramatically improve.

Source: HMC team carries out first stem cell transplants in Qatar

{{cta(‘3fe0aac7-7562-46dc-b8b9-c706d9cfd6b1’)}}

{{cta(‘fec594e9-5433-4350-9180-2bdd371eb399’)}}