Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
What is Bone Marrow Transplant?
Bone marrow transplant is the process of replacing damaged or destroyed bone marrow in a patient with healthy bone marrow cells. This transplant method can be life-saving, especially in the treatment of serious diseases such as acute leukemias and lymphomas that are resistant to standard chemotherapy.
Types of Transplants
Stem cells can be collected from the patient's own body or from another person, i.e., a donor.
- Autologous Transplant: A transplant method that uses the patient's own stem cells. It is often preferred in patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
- Fully Matched Allogeneic Transplant: A procedure that uses stem cells from another person, preferably a fully matched sibling of the patient.
- Matched Unrelated Donor Transplant: For patients without a fully matched sibling, a donor is sought from national and international bone marrow banks.
- Haploidentical Transplant: Performed for patients in urgent need of a transplant and who do not have a fully matched donor. The donor is the patient's half-matched sibling, parent, or child. This method can be as effective as a matched unrelated donor transplant in experienced centers.
How is a Donor Determined for a Matched Unrelated Donor Transplant?
If the patient has no related donor, a donor is sought in national and international (DKMS and BMDW) databases. HLA typing test is used to check compatibility, and a preliminary search is conducted. If a compatible donor is found, blood samples are taken to confirm HLA typing and other screening tests are performed. This process can take up to three months. Once a sufficient number of stem cells are collected from the donor, the transplant procedure is sent to the centers in collaboration with Well Dems Travel Agency.
What is Haploidentical Transplant?
Haploidentical stem cell transplantation is a specialized transplant method applied in a limited number of centers worldwide. In this method, a 10/10 tissue match is not required, and the patient's half-matched relatives can be donors. It is considered the transplant method of the future.
Which Diseases are Treated with Bone Marrow Transplant?
Bone marrow transplant is used for hematological diseases such as leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and aplastic anemia. It is also used for cancer types that do not respond to chemotherapy and congenital disorders.
Recovery Process After Bone Marrow Transplant
After the transplant, the patient's general condition improves as blood cell levels rise, and they reach a state where they can be discharged. Follow-up visits continue for three months to a year, depending on the patient's progress. Patients are advised to protect their immune systems, avoid crowded places, and maintain a careful diet. Most patients can return to work within 3-6 months if they adhere to the precautions.
Does Bone Marrow Transplant Affect Fertility?
Chemotherapy can sometimes affect fertility. For those planning to have children, in vitro fertilization methods can be used, and freezing sperm or eggs before treatment may be an option.
How is the Allogeneic Transplant Procedure Performed?
Before an allogeneic transplant, both the patient and the donor undergo comprehensive testing. If a compatible donor is found, stem cell mobilization is initiated, and after collecting sufficient cells, the transplant is performed. After the transplant, the patient stays in the hospital for about a month to stabilize blood counts and ensure adequate nutrition. Once clinically stable, they are discharged and regularly monitored through follow-up visits.
Why Well Dems Travel Agency?
Well Dems Travel Agency provides services in a sterile environment that meets international standards. Interdisciplinary collaboration is emphasized, and support is provided from all relevant branches when necessary. The transplanted stem cells are prepared in licensed GMP laboratories, and all cells are analyzed for viability, count, and activity.
Well Dems Travel Agency performs haploidentic transplants through alpha/beta T cell depletion to reduce the deadly complications of graft-versus-host disease. Additionally, it provides virus-specific T cells to combat resistant viral infections. By utilizing the latest transplant technologies, we offer our patients the best chance of a healthy life and provide competitive prices with affordable transplant packages.
CAR T-Cell Therapy
What is CAR T-Cell Therapy?
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer by genetically modifying T cells. Well Dems Travel Agency is one of the pioneering institutions in Turkey and the region offering this new treatment.
How Does CAR T-Cell Therapy Work?
In CAR T-cell therapy, the patient's T cells are genetically engineered in a laboratory to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that are specific to cancer cells. The modified T cells can then recognize and destroy the cancer cells.
Which Cancers is CAR T-Cell Therapy Used For?
CAR T-cell therapy is used in the treatment of resistant B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL), B-cell Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma. Well Dems Travel Agency has successfully implemented CAR T therapy, particularly for these types of cancers.
What is the CAR T-Cell Procedure?
For patients or donors found suitable for CAR T-cell therapy, peripheral blood cells are collected. These cells are genetically engineered and multiplied in a laboratory, and quality assurance tests are completed. Before the treatment, patients undergo chemotherapy for lymphodepletion. The modified CAR T cells are then administered to the patient intravenously.
Recovery Process After CAR T-Cell Therapy
The treatment process takes about two weeks. Side effects are managed by our doctors, and the discharge time for the patient is generally less than a month. After treatment, IVIG (immunoglobulin) therapy is required for up to a year, and regular follow-up is conducted.
Success Rate of CAR T-Cell Cancer Treatment
International studies report overall response rates of over 90% in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia patients and over 80% in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patients. At Well Dems Travel Agency, we offer these success rates to our patients.
With Well Dems Travel Agency, you can have a safe journey through bone marrow transplant and CAR T-cell therapy processes, supported by our experienced teams, advanced technology, and superior patient care.