Dr Divya M leads complex bone marrow transplant at Rela Hospital using international donor stem cells

Rela Hospital said donor stem cells sourced through DKMS in Poland were transported to India despite international air disruption, helping treat a 23 year old Acute Myeloid Leukemia patient.

A 23 year old woman diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer, has undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplant at Rela Hospital using donor stem cells sourced internationally after no matching family donor was available.
The hospital said donor stem cells were identified through DKMS Foundation, a global non profit organisation that helps patients with blood cancers find compatible stem cell donors worldwide. The donor match was found in Poland, and the stem cells were transported to India under specialised conditions despite international air transport disruptions linked to the Iran conflict. DKMS also waived donor procurement and transport charges worth nearly 11,000 Euros due to the patient’s financial circumstances.

The patient, an IT professional, had initially reported persistent fever, fatigue, weakness, poor appetite, repeated infections and prolonged hospitalisation. Detailed evaluation at Rela Hospital, including bone marrow aspiration, biopsy, cytogenetic studies and molecular testing, confirmed Acute Myeloid Leukemia with multiple high risk genetic abnormalities.
Doctors determined that a bone marrow transplant was necessary after induction and consolidation chemotherapy were used to control the disease before transplantation. Healthy donor stem cells were then infused to restore blood forming function and immune recovery.

The transplant was performed by Dr Divya M, Clinical Hematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist at Rela Hospital, with support from intensive care specialists, infectious disease experts, pulmonologists, cardiologists, transfusion medicine teams and transplant nursing staff.
Dr Divya M said aggressive blood cancers such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia require rapid intervention when high risk molecular abnormalities are detected, particularly when conventional treatment alone may not be sufficient.
Following transplantation, the patient was managed in a specialised bone marrow transplant isolation unit under infection control protocols, immunosuppressive therapy, nutritional care and continuous monitoring. The hospital said she achieved successful neutrophil and platelet engraftment and was discharged in stable condition.

Mohammed Farouk, Chief Operating Officer, Rela Hospital, said the case reflects how international donor registries and coordinated medical systems can support treatment for aggressive blood cancers when family donor options are unavailable.

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