FM JANUARY 2019 - digital edition

cell counts. Neither androgen
therapy nor growth hormone
administration are curative
options. The only known cure
is a stem cell transplant or
bone marrow transplant. The
success of a bone marrow
transplant is dependent on a
close match with the donor;
with the best donors being
healthy siblings. In addition,
Fanconi anaemia makes
FANCONI ANAEMIA MAKES
INDIVIDUALS SENSITIVE
TO CHEMOTHERAPY AND
RADIATION THERAPY
REQUIRED AS PART OF
THE BONE MARROW
TRANSPLANT
individuals sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy
required as part of the bone marrow transplant. Thus,
bone marrow transplant may not be suitable for all Fanconi
anaemia patients. Several reduced intensity conditioning
options have been standardized to aid bone marrow
transplant in Fanconi anaemia patients.
In Aarav’s case, his parents and 2 siblings were
screened for the mutation and all 4 were found to be
heterozygous. Since Aarav needed immediate treatment
and one of his siblings was found to be a good match, a
bone marrow transplant was performed
from the matched sibling at a specialized
centre in Pune. Aarav is doing very well
now. However, he will need to be under
surveillance to ensure that the transplant is
not rejected.
Dr Kanakia has major hope for bone
marrow transplantation in India. “Bone
marrow transplant is the way forward
for many malignant and non-malignant
conditions. More and more centres for bone
marrow transplant for paediatric patients
are coming up and that is the need for the
hour.” As the technique becomes more
affordable and popular in coming decades,
it may become as simple as a blood
transfusion and is likely to be a commonplace
treatment for many different types of
conditions.
DR SHIVANEE SHAH
JANUARY 2019 / FUTURE MEDICINE / 45