Historic Breakthrough: Army Hospital (R&R) Successfully Conducts Life-Saving Bone Marrow Transplant for Rare Immunodeficiency Disorder

In a historic milestone, Army Hospital (R&R) in Delhi Cantt. achieves a breakthrough with a successful Bone Marrow Transplant for a 7-year-old diagnosed with an uncommon primary immunodeficiency disorder.

In an exceptional feat, medical experts from the Department of Hematology & Stem Cell Transplantation at Army Hospital R&R have, for the first time, conducted a life-saving Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) on a child diagnosed with a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder. The pioneering procedure, carried out on 7-year-old Master Sushant Paudel, signifies a significant leap forward in medical advancements, offering renewed hope to children and families confronting similar challenges.

Sushant Paudel, the 7-year-old son of Sepoy Pradip Paudel, was diagnosed with ARPC1b, an extremely rare form of immunodeficiency at the age of one. This condition severely compromised his immune system, rendering him susceptible to recurrent life-threatening infections and other complications. Referred to Army Hospital (R&R) six months ago, the young patient faced the hurdle of not having an HLA matched sibling donor. The dedicated Hematology team at the hospital embarked on an arduous journey to identify a suitable donor and meticulously plan the bone marrow transplant.

The Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) transplant, conducted on November 30, 2023, involved harvesting healthy stem cells from an HLA compatible donor, in this case, a voluntary unrelated donor, and infusing them into Sushant Paudel’s bloodstream after eliminating his own defective cells with a high dose of chemotherapy. The objective of the procedure was to replace the faulty immune cells with healthy ones, offering a renewed chance at a healthy and vibrant life.

Following the successful transplant, Lt Gen Ajith Nilakantan, Commandant at AHRR, expressed, “It’s a moment of great pride and satisfaction for the entire medical fraternity at AHRR, and this patient is a success story due to a team effort.” Brig Rajan Kapoor, HOD at the Hematology department, commented, “Sushant Paudel’s journey has been nothing short of miraculous. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated medical team, the unwavering support of Sushant’s family, and the generosity of the donor. To our knowledge, this is the first such transplant for this immunodeficiency in India.”

Col Rajiv Kumar, Senior Advisor in the Hematology department, highlighted the significance of HLA matched Unrelated donor stem cells, stating, “Only 1 in 5 patients have a sibling with a full HLA match. The availability of HLA matched Unrelated donor stem cells, sourced in this patient from DATRI, is truly a game-changer for such patients suffering from a life-threatening immunodeficiency disorder.” Lt Col Sanjeev Khera, Pediatric Hematologist at AHRR, noted the challenges of the high-risk transplant, emphasizing the presence of multiple active infections at the time.

The family of Sushant Paudel expressed gratitude and optimism for the future. The successful bone marrow transplant not only brings hope to Sushant and his family but also serves as a beacon of hope for countless others grappling with rare primary immunodeficiencies and other curable disorders through timely Bone Marrow Transplants. Army Hospital R&R reaffirms its commitment to advancing medical research and treatment options for rare diseases, underscoring their dedication to improving the lives of children and families.