Outcome of match related allogeneic stem cell transplantation procedures performed from 2004 till 2011

Haematopoietic stem cell transplant is now the standard of care in many congenital or acquired, malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases. The last few years have seen rapid increases in volumes of the procedure. In 2006, approximately 60,000 transplants were performed worldwide [1]. Although the history of transplant began in the late 1940s and 1950s when animal studies revealed the ability of donor bone marrow to restore hematopoieis after irradiation, in Pakistan, stem cell transplant was started in 1995[2].In a country like ours where consanguinity prevails, β- thalassemia major is the most common genetic haematological disorder requiring stem cell transplant as a curative treatment option [3]. Pakistan is also included in the list of countries where prevalence of aplastic anaemia is high. This is second most common indication for transplant in our setting [4]. Apart from these two disorders, rest of the allogeneic procedures mainly revolve around chronic and acute leukaemia. Due to the large family sizes, in 70% of the patients an HLA identical sibling donor is available as compared to the western population. Autologous stem cell transplant is mainly indicated in lymphomas and myeloma but frequency is lower as compared to allogeneic procedures.With a per capita income of $1051 (2009–2010), the affordability of stem cell transplant procedure by an average man is prohibited by its cost which ranges from $100,000 -$150,000. Although the cost is cheaper locally, majority of our transplants are funded mainly by nongovernmental organisations and philanthropists.Currently, stem cell transplant is being performed in three centres. Our centre was established in April 2004. Initially it was a two bedded unit which was upgraded to four bedded in 2006. With this background, we present our initial experience between April 2004 and August 2011 of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant for various haematological disorders.All patients with non-malignant and