India, 30th July 2024: American Oncology Institute (AOI) at Nangia Specialty Hospital, Nagpur, has achieved a significant milestone in cancer care with two consecutive and successful bloodless autologous bone marrow transplants for Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients: a 58-year-old male from Amravati and a 57-year-old male from MP. Dr. Shailesh Bamborde, BMT Specialist and the team performed an autologous bone marrow transplant, using the patient’s own cells for transplant, thereby reducing the chances of infection and rejection.

Making the medical services accessible and affordable, American Oncology Institute (AOI), Nagpur provided a cost-effective Bone Marrow Transplant for the benefit of patients in and around the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra as well as Central India.

Harish Trivedi, CEO of CTSI - South Asia, commented on the broader impact of AOI Nagpur’s advancements: "AOI Nagpur's achievement in bloodless bone marrow transplants marks a significant milestone in advancing healthcare accessibility in Central India. This innovation underscores their commitment to delivering high-quality care and reducing healthcare disparities in the region."

Multiple myeloma is one of the common types of blood cancer arising from plasma cells that live inside the bone marrow. It accounts for about 10–15 per cent of blood cancers. MM, characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow, presents symptoms like renal failure, anemia, bone pain, infections, and fatigue. AOI Nagpur’s bloodless transplant technique offers new hope for effective treatment and improved quality of life for patients battling this complex cancer.

Dr Amit Dhawan, Regional Chief Operating Officer of AOI Nagpur, underscored the institution’s commitment to excellence in cancer care: "AOI Nagpur is dedicated to offering world-class medical care with compassion and affordability. Our recent success in bloodless bone marrow transplants signifies our capability to provide cutting-edge treatments locally, reducing the burden on patients and their families."

Dr Shailesh Bamborde, BMT Specialist at AOI Nagpur, highlighted the significance of the procedure: "Treatment of multiple myeloma has evolved remarkably in the last few decades. Improved understanding of myeloma biology has led to advances in diagnosis, prognosis and response assessment. These advances have led to very impressive improvements in the survival rates of myeloma patients. Multiple Myeloma poses unique challenges due to its impact on the bone marrow. With our bloodless autologous transplant approach, we use the patient's own stem cells to rejuvenate their marrow, minimizing risks and optimizing recovery. This method not only ensures safety but also improves long-term outcomes for our patients."

The BMT and Hematology Unit at AOI Nangia Specialty Hospital provides comprehensive care for a wide range of blood disorders and cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and various anemias. AOI’s multidisciplinary approach integrates medical oncology, hemato-oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology services, adhering to international standards of cancer treatment.