Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Algeria

Publication date: Available online 11 July 2017
Source:Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy
Author(s): M.A. Bekadja, M. Brahimi, S. Osmani, N. Yafour, A. Krim, F. Serradj, S. Talhi, K. Amani, R. Bouhass
Algeria is a country of 40.4 million inhabitants half of whom are younger than 30 years. In Algeria, healthcare insurance covers 90% of the population. Healthcare is free and it is supported by the Ministry of Health. Sixteen university hospitals exist in Algeria and only two (Algiers and Oran) practice bone marrow transplant. Hematologic malignancies in adults account for 10% (∼4,000 new cases/y) of the malignancy affecting in most cases young patients under 65 years of age. In 2016, 270 transplants were performed (Algiers and Oran), including 149 allografts (related donor transplants: 99%) and 121 autografts. A total of 98% of transplants were carried out in adults and only 2% in children with cord blood transplants. In summary for the two transplant centers, the predominant types of transplantation performed were allogeneic transplants (55%) and autologous transplants (45%). The particularity of Etablissement Hospitalier Universitaire (EHU) is the use of noncryopreserved stem cells. Stem cells were mobilized using granulocyte colony stimulating factor(G-CSF) alone and the grafts were kept in a conventional blood bank refrigerator at +4°C until reinfusion on Day 0. The outcome with noncryopreserved stem cells are the same as those with cryopreserved stem cells and we conclude that autologous transplant with noncryopreserved HSC is a simple, effective, and safe method and the cryopreservation is not necessarily in our work conditions in developing countries. The projects are achieving the autograft in all University Hospitals with noncryopreserved CSH, achieving a center allograft in the east of the country and the development of bone marrow transplantation in children. Currently in Algeria, the number of transplantations is insufficient and the development of new transplant centers is essential. In the future, we hope to implement the National Society of Bone Marrow Transplant and the National Recipient Registry and Donor Registry.



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