(Left to right) Stephen Jensen, Emma McCalman, Justine Maderazo, Earl Bacolod, Sijing Wu, Linda Carpenter, Dr Danielle Oh, Dr Zane Kaplan
Monash Haematology has reached an exciting milestone – successfully performing its first outpatient stem cell transplant for a patient with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is a standard frontline treatment for multiple myeloma. The process involves collecting the patient’s own stem cells, administering high dose chemotherapy and reinfusing the stem cells to restore healthy blood cell production.
Since launching the Cellular Therapies Program in 2023, Monash Haematology has performed over 85 stem cell collections and 40 transplants for patients with blood cancers.
Traditionally myeloma patients stay in hospital for around 2 weeks during ASCT – from the time of high dose conditioning chemotherapy and stem cell infusion, through to engraftment, when the reinfused stem cells begin producing new blood cells.
Dr Danielle Oh, haematologist and Clinical Lead for Cellular Therapies, explained that outpatient ASCT is a highly collaborative model of care, requiring a strong partnership between patients, caregivers, our clinical teams at the Medical Infusion Unit (MIU) and Haematology Ward and the cellular therapy laboratory at the Hudson Institute.
‘Our patient, *Parul and her husband were keen to explore the option of outpatient ASCT. We are extremely pleased that we were able to offer this pathway to her, and we hope to extend this service to more patients who may benefit.
‘We believe it has the potential to significantly enhance our patient experience during what is often a long and challenging treatment process,’ Dr Oh said.
Parul who was the first outpatient to receive this treatment is keen to share her story.
‘I was so happy to be staying home with my family. It’s good for my mental health, to have home-cooked food, and be in a home environment,’ she said.
Her husband stated knowing that the ward was available to Parul at any point in time gave them peace of mind.
‘We want to share our story so that patients can consider this option if it’s suitable for them. If they are not living too far from the hospital, they have family support and if they have a conducive environment at home.
‘It’s good for one’s mental health. The morale and support of their family and having homecooked food, using personal things like their own pillow, bed, environment, can give them mental peace,’ he said.
Parul received a high dose conditioning chemotherapy followed by stem cell infusion, which was administered by Cellular Therapies Clinical Nurse Consultant Earl Bacolod. She was able to go home in the early afternoon, following the stem cell infusion.
‘It’s just like a blood transfusion. In fact, there isn’t another needle. It only takes 30 minutes,’ she said.
Dr Oh said Parul is recovering well, and the success of her treatment will pave the way for the Monash Haematology to roll out this service via the Hospital in the Home (HITH) program.
‘This is an exciting milestone for our Cellular Therapies Program and most importantly for our patients. At the heart of everything we do, is a commitment to deliver care that empowers our patients, supporting their independence, well-being, and quality of life throughout their treatment journey,’ she said.
Congratulations to Dr Danielle Oh and the entire medical, nursing and allied health team for this achievement, and heartfelt thanks to Parul and her family for generously sharing their experience. We wish Parul all the best in her recovery journey.
*The patient’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.