HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN EGYPT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is now an established treatment modality with definitive indications for many hematological disorders. However, this line of treatment requires tremendous resources, and it becomes increasingly difficult for transplanters  practicing in the developing world to reconcile the difference between what is possible and what is available. On the basis of 30 years of experience and more than 4250 transplants , this article will focus on the challenges faced our HSCT program and how they were solved. The HSCT program in Egypt started in 1989 on a narrow scale and since that time we faced many challenges.In 1997, the transplant rate increased dramatically with the opening of  many HSCT units distributed allover Egypt. Our team is registered in the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research ,and the number of transplants performed till December 2019 exceeded 4000 cases (60% allogeneic and 40% autologous).