Fortis Doctors Achieve Milestone by Curing Sickle Cell Disease via Bone Marrow Transplants - Video

Doctors at Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram, have achieved a milestone in treating children with sickle cell disease (SCD) through bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation, reporting an overall survival rate of nearly 87%. Their decade-long study, published in the international journal Haemoglobin, analysed 100 pediatric cases treated between 2015 and 2024. Matched sibling donor transplants showed a 96% success rate, while half-matched family donor transplants achieved 78%. These outcomes rank among the best globally and mark significant progress in managing sickle cell disease in developing countries.

Sickle cell disease is a debilitating inherited blood disorder causing severe anemia, recurrent pain, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy, particularly affecting India and sub-Saharan Africa. The study underscored the importance of early diagnosis and timely transplantation, showing that performing the procedure before severe complications drastically improves survival. Fortis employed advanced protocols to reduce side effects and minimize graft-versus-host disease risk. Doctors noted many children previously dependent on transfusions are now healthy and active, highlighting the potential for curative treatment in resource-limited settings and heralding a new era for pediatric sickle cell disease care in India and beyond.

REFERENCE: Bhayana, S., Chakaroborty, S., Nathany, S., Danewa, A., Arora, S., Pal Singh, P., … Dua, V. (2025). Encouraging Outcomes of Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease- A Decade-Long Experience from the Developing World. Hemoglobin, 49(5), 317–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630269.2025.2568129