Of LUTH’s First Bone Marrow Transplant and Hope for Sickle Cell Disease Patients

As the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, records success of its first Bone Marrow Transplant, Blessing Yakubu writes that it has given new hope for Sickle Cell Disease patients

In a monumental achievement for Nigerian healthcare, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, has successfully completed its first bone marrow transplant, offering new hope to patients suffering from sickle cell disease, SCD.

The procedure which was performed on the first set of patients admitted in the last week of August 2024 represents a major breakthrough in the country’s medical landscape and underscores the growing capacity of local healthcare facilities to provide advanced treatments for complex conditions like SCD.

This achievement marks a turning point for Nigeria, a country with the highest burden of sickle cell disease in the world, where an estimated 150,000 children are born with the condition each year.

“The first set of patients were admitted in the last week of August 2024at the hospital.

“They received a treatment regimen of exchange blood transfusions, chemotherapy and anti-infective prophylaxis to prepare them for the infusion of bone marrow stem cells that were harvested from family donors, processed and given this week (17th and 19th September 2024).

“Both patients are currently undergoing immediate post-transplant care within the transplant unit at the hospital,” said the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, who was visibly pleased with the medical breakthrough.

According to National Health Institute, about 50 million people are living with SCD globally and Nigeria is the epicentre zone with about 4-6 million people living with the disease (one in every four Nigerians has a sickle cell trait). Annually, about 300,000 newly diagnosed SCD children are born worldwide.

Sub-Saharan Africa contributes about 75% of the number. Nigeria accounts for 100,000-150,000 newborns living with SCD annually, which accounts for 33% of the global burden of the disease. Therefore, Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the epidemiology of SCD from the global perspective.

LUTH’s success opens the door for more patients to access life-saving treatments without the need to seek medical care abroad, providing relief for families affected by this debilitating disease.

What now is sickle cell disease you may ask.

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder caused by a mutation in the gene responsible for producing hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. In SCD, the red blood cells, which are normally round and flexible, become rigid and shaped like sickles or crescent moons.

These misshapen cells can block blood flow, causing severe pain, organ damage, and a range of other serious complications, including stroke and acute chest syndrome.

For decades, managing the disease has largely been focused on reducing symptoms and preventing complications through blood transfusions, medication, and pain management. However, these treatments do not cure the disease, and many patients continue to endure painful crises and a reduced quality of life.

Bone Marrow Transplant: A Path to Cure

While treatments like hydroxyurea and blood transfusions help manage the symptoms of sickle cell disease, they do not address the root cause. The only known cure for SCD is a bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant.

In this procedure, a patient’s defective bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells from a donor, usually a sibling with a matching tissue type.

Bone marrow transplant has shown remarkable success in curing sickle cell disease in many parts of the world, but it has been out of reach for most Nigerians due to the complexity and cost of the procedure, as well as the need for highly specialized medical infrastructure.

Until recently, Nigerian patients seeking a cure had to travel to advanced medical centers in Europe, the United States, or India, where the cost of the procedure could run into tens of thousands of dollars—an option only available to a small fraction of the population.

LUTH’s Journey to Success

LUTH’s success in conducting its first bone marrow transplant is the result of years of preparation, investment, and collaboration. The hospital, which has a reputation for being a leader in medical innovation in Nigeria, has worked closely with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, SCFN, to establish a bone marrow transplant program that meets international standards.

Highlighting the successful collaboration between Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, SCFN, the Chief Medical Director praised the partnership for its pivotal role in establishing a high-quality, internationally accredited bone marrow transplant program.

This joint effort has made it possible to offer a safe and effective cure for sickle cell disease, ensuring that Nigerians can access top-tier treatment locally.

The hospital also credited SCFN for its exceptional administrative and project management oversight, which has been instrumental under the leadership of CEO Dr. Annette Akinsete.

“Recognizing the gaps in care for individuals affected by the disease in Nigeria, the leadership of the SCFN and LUTH established a bone marrow transplant programme at LUTH.

“In preparation for a locally adapted and cost-effective bone marrow transplant programme in Nigeria, a post-transplant clinic was initially established in 2019, a first in sub-Saharan Africa, to provide post-transplant care to patients who had travelled to other countries for bone marrow or stem cell transplants, thereby developing clinical expertise in posttransplant care,” a statement from LUTH noted.

The hospital’s bone marrow transplant program is built on a foundation of robust infrastructure, cutting-edge medical technology, and a highly trained team of specialists.

The programme consists of a high-level multidisciplinary team which includes paediatric and adult haematologists, consisting Dr. Seye Akinsete, as the Team lead, and Drs. Ugonna Fakile, Olufunto Kalejaiye, Yusuf Adelabu, and Professor Edamisan Temiye, the Programme Manager.

Others are blood transfusion and stem cell processing lab support, Professor Titi Adeyemo and Dr. Ann Ogbenna, bone marrow-transplant nurses, dieticians, social workers, pharmacists, psychiatrists, anaesthesiologists, nurses at the KidsOR (theatre) and other ancillary personnel.

The program has been guided by the scientific expertise and leadership of Professor Adetola Kassim of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who joined in 2018.

And to further strengthen their expertise in the program, Prof Josu de la Fuente from the Imperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust UK joined the team in 2022 as a resource person and assisted with the paediatric aspects of the programme

SCFN CEO, Dr. Annette Akinsete, also expressed her joy at the milestone. “We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that Nigerians have access to this critical treatment. Our vision has always been to provide a cure for sickle cell disease right here in Nigeria, and today, we’re one step closer to making that a reality.”

What This Means for Nigeria

The successful bone marrow transplant at LUTH is a beacon of hope for thousands of Nigerians living with sickle cell disease. It demonstrates that Nigeria has the capability to offer advanced medical care, and the Federal Ministry of Health under the leadership of Prof. Ali Pate is making sure that all gaps are closed between local healthcare and what is available in other parts of the world.

For the medical community, this achievement is a call to action to further invest in training, infrastructure, and research to ensure that more patients can benefit from this life-saving procedure. LUTH’s goal is to expand the program in the coming years, making the treatment accessible to a broader range of patients while reducing costs.

Now it is safe to say that LUTH and SCFN’s collaboration is proving that with the right partnerships, vision, and dedication, Nigeria can rise to meet its healthcare challenges and provide solutions that benefit its people at home.

* Yakubu is an Health Awareness Advocate in Abuja

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