Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital cures sickle cell patient through their first stem cell transplant
Loma Linda, CA, April 12, 2019 — Doctors at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital recently conducted the institution’s first stem cell transplant in a sickle cell disease patient, effectively curing her of the inherited blood disease. The successful procedure offers hope and accessible treatment to those suffering from the disease in the Inland Empire and surrounding regions.
Children’s Hospital doctors had worked for nearly a year to build a program focused on helping hematology patients, specifically those with hemophilia and sickle cell disease.
Akshat Jain, MD, pediatric physician specializing in hematologic disorders at Children’s Hospital, said he is pleased with the outcome of the transplant and what it means for future patients suffering from sickle cell disease.
“We created a successful program so children and their families suffering from this disease don’t need to look elsewhere for treatment—it’s available to them right here in the Inland Empire,” Jain said.
The procedure was also Children’s Hospital’s first haploidentical transplant, meaning the stem cells donated—by the patient’s father—were only half a genomic match to the patient’s own stem cells. The transplant team infused the father's cells directly into the patient after conditioning chemotherapy to replace the unhealthy blood-forming cells.
The patient, 11-year-old Valeria Vargas-Olmedo, had lived with sickle cell disease since birth. Her family began seeking treatment last year after she became incapacitated, unable to continue daily activities such as attend school, get in a car or even walk. Doctors said she had debilitating chronic pain, bone loss and bone necrosis.
“She is now disease free and can go back out into the world to do what an 11-year-old should be doing,” Jain said.
Clara Olmedo, Valeria’s mother, said, “Firstly, we want to thank God. We also want to thank Dr. Jain and his entire transplant team. Finally, thanks to Valeria’s father—he did everything he could in order to save her life and give her health through being a donor. My daughter is much more animated now—she’s begun walking, she’s eating and gaining weight, she’s happy. Little by little she is living a normal life like before.”
Sickle cell disease causes a shortage of red blood cells and thus an oxygen deficiency in one’s body. This can cause chronic pain and other serious complications, such as infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke. Without oxygen, any organ has a high likelihood of dying off.
Jain said the disease is generally found in populations like those in the Inland Empire, such as Hispanic and African American populations.
Jain said he and his team treat approximately 250 to 300 sickle cell patients in Children’s Hospital’s comprehensive sickle cell program—more patients than in some of the largest programs on the west coast.
The Vargas-Olmedo family wants to encourage others families who are struggling with sickle cell disease. “For the parents who see the news of this transplant and deal with this sickness, I hope they are encouraged and know that Children’s Hospital is a great hospital,” Clara Olmedo said. “There are many good doctors, professionals and excellent nurses. I encourage them to ask more questions about this procedure and our experience. They’ve helped us tremendously, and we have our trust in them.”
About Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital – LLUCH
The Children’s Hospital is the only dedicated pediatric hospital in the vast geographic region of San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties. With 348 beds dedicated just for kids, one of the largest Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the country and more than 100,000 children who come each year, LLUCH is a major pediatric teaching facility, known worldwide as the pioneer of neonatal heart transplantation. LLUCH is part of Loma Linda University Health—the umbrella organization encompassing Loma Linda University’s eight professional schools, Loma Linda University Medical Center’s six hospitals and more than 1,00 faculty physicians located across the Inland Empire in Southern California. A Seventh-day Adventist organization, Loma Linda University Health is a faith-based health system with a mission “to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”
This press release was written by Sheann Brandon, and provided by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
Image courtesy of LLUCH: Valeria Vargas-Olmedo, 11, from Crestline, received her stem cell donation from her father.
Editor's Note (April 17, 2019): This article has been updated with revisions provided by LLUH.
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