Three-and-a-Half-Year-Old Twins Undergo Simultaneous Leukemia Stem-Cell Transplants in Rare Case

Written by: Neha Madaan

Summarized by: Vinh-Khoa Bao

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Overview 

In an extremely rare medical case at Sahyadri Hospital in Pune, India, three-and-a-half year old twin sisters, both diagnosed with high-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), received simultaneous stem cell transplants using cells from a single unrelated donor identified with the DATRI Stem Cell Registry.  While ALL is one of the most common childhood cancers, the development of the disease in both twins at the same time made this case extremely special.

Key Challenges and Execution

• Identifying a perfect match for both twins who also ensured a sufficient volume of stem cells for simultaneous transplantation was an extremely hard obstacle.

• Both twins needed to be in remission at the same time for the procedure to proceed safely.

• The stem cells were collected in Hyderabad and transported to Pune, where the procedures were performed on January 9, 2022.

• The process included a conditioning program and required intensive post-transplant monitoring.

Multidisciplinary Coordination

A large multidisciplinary team, which included transplant physicians, haematologists, critical care specialists, and nurses, worked closely over several weeks to coordinate and accurately perform the transplant procedures. 

Outcomes and Recovery

Following an observation period, both transplants were declared successful, and the twins were reported to be recovering well and under regular follow-up care. The hospital said that both children were gradually resuming normal life. 

Significance and Broader Implications

This case is one of very few documented cases worldwide in which stem cells from a single

donor were used for twin transplants. It underscores the critical need for more voluntary stem-cell donors in India, as current registries face significant donor shortages, limiting treatment options for patients with blood cancers.

Conclusion

This extraordinary case demonstrates the heights of medical coordination, logistics, and care. It highlights the lifesaving potential of stem-cell transplants, while also drawing attention to the pressing necessity of expanding donor registries in India to ensure more children and patients can access such critical therapies.