SRMS Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) in Bareilly has achieved a historic milestone by performing the first-ever bone marrow transplant (autologous stem cell transplant) in the Rohilkhand and Kumaon regions. This breakthrough brings advanced cancer care closer to patients who previously had to travel hundreds of kilometers to metropolitan cities.
First Transplant Patient: A 47-Year-Old Woman from Uttarakhand
The successful transplant was performed on a 47-year-old woman from Uttarakhand who had been battling high-risk multiple myeloma (R-ISS Stage III) for over a year. Her symptoms included persistent back pain, weakness, abdominal discomfort, anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, and hypercalcaemia. Advanced investigations such as serum immunofixation electrophoresis, serum free light chain assay, FISH, whole-body MRI, bone marrow evaluation, and immunoglobulin studies confirmed the aggressive blood cancer.
After induction and targeted therapy, the patient achieved significant hematological recovery, normalization of kidney function, correction of calcium levels, and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. The autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) using her own healthy stem cells was then performed to reduce recurrence risk and consolidate disease control.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration Drives Success
The transplant was a result of seamless collaboration across multiple specialties. Led by Dr Piyush Kumar (MD, Radiotherapy), Professor and Head, Department of Radiation Oncology and Director of RR Cancer & Research Institute (ranked #17 Best Oncology Hospital in India by Outlook & NEB Research Survey 2026), the team included medical oncology, clinical hematology, transfusion medicine, clinical pharmacology, critical care, nursing, and diagnostic services.
Dr Adadi Srinivasa Naidu (Medical Oncologist) handled treatment planning and chemotherapy. Dr Vijay Moorthy (Visiting Consultant and Advisor) spearheaded the transplant procedure. Dr Disha Satya (Clinical Hematologist) contributed to disease stratification and transplant planning. The transfusion medicine team, including Dr Milan Jaiswal, Dr Ujjwal Ahuja, and Dr Aakriti Baijal, along with apheresis technologists, managed stem cell mobilization, collection, and blood component support. Dr Krishna Kumar Mahto, Dr Abhishek Sinha, and Dr Rohit Yadav from clinical pharmacology coordinated the process.
Post-Transplant Recovery and Community Support
Following high-dose Melphalan conditioning and stem cell infusion, the patient was placed in a dedicated transplant isolation unit with HEPA filtration and infection control. She recovered exceptionally well and was moved from the transplant unit to the ward on day 19, significantly ahead of the typical 30-day timeline. During the critical aplastic phase, voluntary platelet donors provided single donor platelet (SDP) support, highlighting community compassion.
Affordable Care: Cost Comparison
The entire transplant procedure at SRMS IMS cost approximately ₹6-8 lakh, compared to ₹10-12 lakh and often ₹20-25 lakh at specialized centers elsewhere. Dr Adadi Srinivasa noted, "Traditionally, Bone Marrow Transplant procedures often require patients to travel to major metropolitan centers, resulting in substantial logistical and financial challenges. Hence, for countless families across UP and Uttarakhand, this represents hope, convenience, and the possibility of receiving advanced treatment without leaving their home region."
Infrastructure and Vision
The transplant program was enabled by dedicated bone marrow transplant isolation units, advanced therapeutic apheresis services, comprehensive transfusion medicine support, specialized nursing teams, round-the-clock critical care, advanced diagnostic labs, and robust infection control systems. SRMS IMS, ranked #2 Best Multi-Speciality Hospital in UP (other than NCR) by Outlook & NEB Research Survey 2026, is now expanding its transplant facilities to support more procedures and develop a dedicated bone marrow transplant wing.
Shri Dev Murti, Chairman of SRMS Trust, has long championed bringing advanced healthcare to underserved regions. This milestone is a realization of his vision that patients should not have to leave their region for world-class care. As the first and only centre between Delhi and Lucknow to offer comprehensive bone marrow transplant services, SRMS IMS is redefining cancer care in North India.
Dr Milan Jaiswal emphasized the role of transfusion medicine: "Our team played a critical role throughout the transplant journey. From evaluating patient fitness and carrying out precision stem cell collection and processing to ensuring graft quality assurance, secure storage, graft infusion, and patient monitoring, every step was meticulously managed."
