Finding a suitable match for a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant can be a challenging and emotional journey for patients and their families. Understanding the process and knowing the available resources can help ease some of this burden.
The Importance of HLA Typing
The first critical step in finding a match is Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing. HLA typing is essential because it matches the patient’s tissue type with that of potential donors. This involves testing the family members, usually siblings and parents, with a high-resolution HLA typing. This test matches at ten to twelve locations, known as loci.
If there is a match at all twelve loci, the donor is considered a full match. This full match significantly increases the likelihood of a successful transplant. However, it is important to note that there is only a 30% chance of finding a fully matched donor within the immediate family.
Using Donor Registries
When a family match is not available, the next step is to turn to donor registries. One of the key registries in India is DATRI. Hematologists can apply to DATRI on behalf of the patient by submitting the HLA report. DATRI then provides a probability score for matching in their database.
In cases where a match is not found within DATRI, they offer services to check other registries worldwide for potential matches. This extensive search helps maximize the chances of finding a suitable donor.
Cost Considerations
One reassuring aspect for patients and their families is that all preliminary steps, including HLA typing and registry searches, are typically conducted free of cost through the patient’s hematologist. The costs only come into play when a donor is found, and the process moves forward to the actual stem cell donation. This part of the process is managed by a transplant physician registered with DATRI.
Success Stories and Support
At Bajaj Hospital, we have been registered with DATRI as a transplant program for the past seven to eight years. During this time, we have successfully conducted more than ten unrelated donor transplants. We have also facilitated unrelated donations for people found to be matches in the Maratwada region. Our close association with thalassemia care programs and unrelated donor programs has been instrumental in providing life-saving treatments to many patients.
Conclusion
Finding a matching blood stem cell donor can be a daunting task, but with the right steps and support, it is possible. Starting with high-resolution HLA typing within the family, leveraging donor registries like DATRI, and working with experienced transplant physicians and hospitals are crucial steps in this journey. The success stories from hospitals like Bajaj Hospital provide hope and assurance to patients and families navigating this process.
About DATRI:
DATRI Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry, a not-for-profit organisation, has facilitated more than 1401 Blood Stem Cell Donations to date. The journey began in the year 2009 to find unrelated matched donors for patients with leukaemia, Thalassemia or blood disorders whose life is dependent on an unrelated donor to survive. DATRI, India’s largest Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry, has more than 5,59,517 donors registered. DATRI is working towards creating a wide and diverse database of potential Blood Stem Cell Donors that can be accessed by any patient living anywhere in the world in need of a Blood Stem Cell Donation. Any healthy individual between the age of 18 years to 50 years can register as a blood stem cell donor with DATRI and potentially become a lifesaver when they’re found to be a match for a fatal blood disorder patient.
For more information about thalassemia click the links below to watch Dr. Venkatesh Ekbote’s interview