Tamil Nadu plans new stem cell registry as expert calls for wider donor diversity

UPDATE - follow-up to What are stem-cell donor registries and how do they work?: Tamil Nadu Health Minister K.G. Arunraj announced last month that the State will soon create a stem cell and bone marrow registry to help patients needing transplants. Fifty patients are currently on the waitlist for bone marrow transplants in Tamil Nadu.

How Registries Work

A stem-cell donor registry is a database of volunteers who agree to donate blood-forming stem cells to patients. Their human leukocyte antigen profile is recorded to match with patients. For blood cancers and disorders like thalassaemia and aplastic anaemia, a stem-cell transplant can be curative. Only about 25% to 30% of patients have a fully matched sibling donor. Others must rely on unrelated donor registries, which can also search international networks.

Matching and Diversity

Matching depends on human leukocyte antigen markers rather than blood groups. India lacks a single national registry, but five registries currently operate and list several lakh donors. Experts note that India's large genetic diversity means patients need donors from similar backgrounds. Dr. Jeyasankar S. from Apollo Speciality Hospitals states that under-represented communities face greater difficulty finding matches. Dr. G. Vimal Kumar from MGM Cancer Institute adds that India needs more healthy young adults to register.

Context

Bone marrow registries connect patients with unrelated volunteer donors when family members are not a match. Many people confuse the process with a major surgery, but stem cells can often be collected simply from the bloodstream like a platelet donation. Raising awareness in colleges and workplaces helps build a larger and more diverse donor pool.