Sickle Cell Treatment Breakthrough: LUTH Partners with SCFN To Launch BMT

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

In what may be aptly described as a landmark medical breakthrough in the treat of sickle cell, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), has launched a bone marrow transplant program that meets global standards, aimed at treating sickle cell disease in Nigeria. 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that this was disclosed in a joint statement signed by the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, and the National Director of SCFN, Dr. Annette Akinsete, over the last weekend in Lagos. 

The statement emphasized that Nigeria bears the highest global burden of sickle cell disease, with affected individuals facing life-threatening complications from early childhood, severe organ damage, and reduced life expectancy. 

"Comprehensive care programs such as newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis, and Transcranial Doppler screening to identify children at risk of stroke, followed by chronic blood transfusion and the increasing use of hydroxyurea therapy, have improved childhood survival. However, these measures have not significantly increased the life expectancy of adults, particularly those with severe forms of the disease," the statement noted.

Bone marrow transplantation, using a family donor, is recognized as a cure for sickle cell disease. However, the procedure carries potential risks such as infection, graft-versus-host disease (where donor cells attack the patient), infertility, and even death. 

The statement explained that advancements in the procedure over the last 20 years have improved outcomes and minimized complications.

“Bone marrow transplants are now an approved treatment for both children and adults with severe sickle cell disease. This complex procedure requires a multidisciplinary approach and close follow-up care for up to 12 months,” it added.

Due to the high costs and complexity of the procedure, many Nigerians have had to seek treatment abroad, placing a heavy financial burden on patients and their families. 

In response, SCFN and LUTH established a bone marrow transplant program to provide this treatment locally, reducing the need for overseas care.

To prepare for this program, a post-transplant clinic was launched in 2019, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, offering follow-up care for patients who had received transplants abroad.

The LUTH/SCFN transplant program features a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including pediatricians, adult hematologists, psychiatrists, anesthesiologists, nurses, dieticians, and pharmacists. 

The program is supported by the expertise of Prof. Adetola Kassim from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and in 2022, Prof. Josudela Fuente, from Imperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust joined the team to further strengthen its capacity.

OTN News revealed that the statement revealed that the first set of patients were admitted in late August 2024 and received bone marrow stem cells harvested from family donors on September 17 and 19, 2024. The patients are currently under close post-transplant care at LUTH.

LUTH and SCFN expressed their gratitude to the patients, their families, Lagos State Government, Chevron, and the dedicated staff who have worked tirelesslyto make this program a success.