Stem cell therapy continues to transform the landscape of modern medicine, with successful interventions across the world demonstrating its life-saving potential. A recent case in Singapore, where a 38-year-old Indian-origin man overcame blood cancer through a stem cell transplant, serves as a strong reminder of why families are now considering stem cell banking as a vital investment in future health.
With no prior family history of cancer, the patient was shocked by an unexpected diagnosis that left his survival hanging by a thread. While he desperately sought effective treatment, doctors at a leading Singapore hospital – National University Hospital (NUH) recommended an urgent stem cell transplant, the only definitive treatment. He underwent a rigorous procedure where his body was stimulated to produce healthy stem cells through daily injections. These cells were then harvested, purified, and transplanted back into his system, replacing the diseased bone marrow and giving him a new lease of life.
“After my diagnosis of blood cancer, initially, I had lost all hope as it was a life-threatening condition. I was actually in a state of shock as there was no cancer case in my family. I was also free from all vices – never smoked and avoided alcohol. Hope came with stem cells, and that saved my life,” said the patient.
A study published in the Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion found that patients with Multiple Myeloma who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation achieved a five-year overall survival rate of more than 80%, compared to lower outcomes in patients managed only with drug therapies. This reinforces the critical role that stem cell transplants play in extending life expectancy and improving quality of life for patients with otherwise limited treatment options.
Highlighting this growing trend, Upamannyue Roy Choudhury, CEO of Cryoviva Life Sciences, India, said, “Medical science has made rapid advancements, and we are leveraging the benefits of these developments with stem cell banking. Stem cells have become instrumental in the treatment of several life-threatening diseases, including cancer.”
“By preserving their children’s stem cells, parents are taking a proactive step to protect their families against serious illnesses such as blood disorders, certain cancers, and immune system conditions,” he added.
Stem cell preservation is increasingly gaining acceptance in India, with more hospitals adopting stem cell transplants to treat conditions like Multiple Myeloma and other complex blood disorders. The awareness that a one-time opportunity at birth could safeguard future health is leading expectant parents to see cord blood preservation as both a scientific and emotional investment in their child’s well-being.
Stem cell therapy and preservation are steadily shaping into one of the most significant pillars of preventive healthcare. As real-world cases and medical research continue to demonstrate, preserving stem cells today could mean unlocking life-saving treatment options tomorrow.
In conclusion, Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy, Clinical Director & HOD, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, KIMS Cuddles Kondapur, noted that hundreds of thousands of families in India have chosen to preserve their newborn’s stem cells. The reasons are compelling as stem cells have the potential to treat more than 80 life threatening diseases and disorders, including blood disorders, cancers, genetic conditions and immune system deficiencies. In cases where patients undergo chemotherapy, stem cells can help rebuild the immune system and may also serve as an alternative to bone marrow transplantation.