India's First Double Stem Cell Transplant for Rare Brain Cancer

A milestone in Indian paediatric oncology has been reached with the country's first tandem autologous stem cell transplant for embryonal tumour with multilayered rosettes (ETMR). This rare and aggressive brain cancer in young children now has a more hopeful prognosis thanks to the procedure performed at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC) in Visakhapatnam.

This advanced treatment, previously seen only in countries like the USA and South Korea, involves a double cycle of high-dose chemotherapy. Doctors collect the patient's own stem cells before treatment, store them, and reinfuse them to rebuild the immune system post-chemotherapy. The tandem approach aims to eliminate residual microscopic tumour cells.

The child's treatment, which began in Mumbai with surgery and initial chemotherapy, was completed at HBCHRC between December 2025 and January 2026. The successful transplant and recovery highlight the growing capability of public hospitals to offer complex, life-saving cancer therapies. Crucially, the entire treatment was rendered free of cost, supported by national and state health schemes and patient-assistance programs, making advanced care accessible to underprivileged patients.

Performing such a complex procedure demands specialized infrastructure and multidisciplinary teamwork. This includes advanced apheresis machines for stem cell collection, cryopreservation facilities, and bone marrow transplant units with sterile environments. The collaborative effort of paediatric oncologists, haematopathologists, and nursing staff was essential for the patient's successful recovery without major complications.