Chennai, May 9, 2025:Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC), Chennai, has reaffirmed its leadership in comprehensive cancer care with the launch of a dedicated Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit, inaugurated on World Thalassaemia Day. This milestone further strengthens APCC’s ability to deliver holistic cancer care—from cutting-edge radiation therapies such as Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation (TMLI) to advanced hematology and transplant services—offered collaboratively by multidisciplinary teams in one integrated centre.
The BMT unit was officially inaugurated by Dr. TRB Rajaa, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu. He was joined by senior leadership from Apollo Hospitals, including Mr. Dinesh Madhavan, President, Group Oncology and International, and Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director, Group Oncology and International. Other dignitaries present included Dr. Jose Easow, Director – Medical Oncology, Hematology & BMT, Dr. Srinivas Chilukuri, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology, and Mr. Karan Puri, Chief Executive Officer, APCC, along with senior clinicians from the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre.
This launch places APCC among a select group of global centres offering Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation (TMLI)—a state-of-the-art conditioning regimen for bone marrow transplantation. Unlike traditional Total Body Irradiation (TBI), which affects the entire body including vital organs, TMLI precisely targets marrow and lymphoid tissues while sparing healthy organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. This targeted approach significantly reduces treatment-related toxicity and improves clinical outcomes for patients, especially those battling leukemia and lymphoma
Chief Guest Dr. TRB Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to advancing healthcare, stating, “Tamil Nadu continues to foster an enabling ecosystem that encourages innovation, public-private collaboration, and equitable access to advanced treatments. Our focus on cancer detection, HPV vaccination, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like robotic surgery and AI diagnostics in the state underlines this commitment. Institutions like Apollo Proton Cancer Centre not only set global benchmarks in cancer care but also mirror the transformative potential of our healthcare model. I congratulate the Apollo team and clinical specialists for bringing pioneering treatments like BMT and TMLI to Tamil Nadu, further strengthening the state’s position as a global healthcare destination.”
Dr. Jose Easow, Director – Medical Oncology, Hematology & Blood and Marrow Transplantation at APCC, said, “With the integration of BMT services with TMLI and precision radiation, APCC is creating an unparalleled, patient-centric ecosystem for hematologic cancer treatment. TMLI allows us to deliver targeted conditioning with significantly reduced toxicity, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life for transplant patients. This integration reflects our commitment to providing world-class, evidence-based care in India.”
Mr. Dinesh Madhavan, President, Group Oncology and International, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said, “With the integration of Bone Marrow Transplant services and advanced radiation therapies like TMLI, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre reaffirms its commitment to delivering end-to-end comprehensive cancer care with global standards. Our commitment is not just about adding capabilities—it’s about ensuring that every patient, regardless of complexity, has access to personalized, cutting-edge treatment under one roof. It also reflects our unwavering vision to make India a destination for world-class personalised oncology care.”
Dr. Srinivas Chilukuri, Senior Consultant – Radiation Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said, “By combining advanced BMT and TMLI, APCC is redefining care standards for complex blood cancers. Our organ-sparing approach enhances not only outcomes but also recovery and resilience post-transplant. It’s not just about technology—it’s about bringing compassionate, curative care closer to patients.”
The burden of blood-related disorders in India is alarming. According to Studies, India records over 10,000 new cases of childhood leukemia annually and is home to the largest number of children with thalassemia major—around 100,000. Around 3% to 4% of Indian population are carriers of thalassemia, while in Tamil Nadu, the incidence is estimated to be 4%. (Source Link)
Despite BMT being the only curative treatment for several of these conditions, accessibility remains a concern. The establishment of a high-end BMT program within APCC bridges this critical gap. With the introduction of BMT and advanced TMLI radiation, APCC is now India’s most comprehensive and technologically integrated cancer centre, addressing both curative and quality-of-life dimensions of cancer care.
Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of making Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) accessible across India. In 2023, Apollo Cancer Centre in Chennai was recognized for treating the highest number of 127 BMT patients out of which 24 thalassemia-affected children benefitted under the Tamil Nadu CM’s Health Scheme, offering BMT at zero cost to underprivileged families. In 2024, its Hyderabad centre launched the first outpatient BMT service in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, enabling day-care transplant support for stable blood cancer and thalassemia patients.
