Combined transplantation of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood of same sibling in eight children with beta-thalassemia major

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect of combined transplantation of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood of same sibling in children with β-thalassemia major.METHODS: Eight thalassemia major patients undergoing combined transplantation of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood of same sibling aged from 4.0 to 7.5 years, 5 boys and 3 girls, were recruited at the Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital,Southem Medical University from January 2005 to March 2009. The patients were classified into three classes according to Pesarothalassamia classification, class Ⅰ to class Ⅱ 7 cases and class Ⅲ 1 case. Donors ranged 1-4 years received 10 μg/kg per day of subcutaneous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 5 consecutive days. Bone marrow was harvested on the fifth day. Bone marrow and umbilical cord blood of the same sibling then were transfused into the patient.RESULTS: Recovery of hematopoiesis was gained in all patients 4 weeks following transplantation. Seven patients suffered from infection of different degree. Four patients developed mild venous occlusive disease. Two patients developed grade Ⅰ acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and one developed grade Ⅰ chronic GVHD. Seven patients were alive and one died of pulmonary infection and heart failure 32 days following transplantation.CONCLUSION: Combined transplantation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor primed bone marrow and umbilical cord blood of same sibling in children with β-thalassemia major is safe and effective with promising results. However, complications should be paid high attention following transplantation.