Bologna, January 22, 2025 - The Pediatric Hematology-Oncology team at the Policlinico di Sant'Orsola continues its groundbreaking work in microbiota transplants, having saved ten young lives in 2024 alone. Recently, the team performed its first 'off-site' microbiota transplant in Pavia, further establishing the procedure as a viable treatment option.
The microbiota transplant procedure addresses complex cases such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a severe complication arising from hematological conditions. Initial results indicate that the success rate for treating GvHD through microbiota transplants is higher than previously reported.
Just days ago, the pediatric team successfully transported microbiota to treat a four-year-old boy with acute GvHD, who could not be moved due to his critical condition. The transplant was conducted at Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia, where the child had been hospitalized for several months.
Professor Riccardo Masetti from Pediatric Oncology noted, “This has been an extraordinary year; thanks to microbiota transplants, we have saved ten young lives from conditions that previously had low cure rates.” The boy’s condition had developed after a bone marrow transplant for thalassemia.
Marco Zecca, head of Pediatric Hematology at Policlinico San Matteo, emphasized the transplant's importance, stating that the child responded well and can now undergo a necessary surgical procedure.
The microbiota transplant is currently authorized for recurrent or refractory Clostridium difficile infections, but its application for other diseases requires specific approval from health authorities. The success of these transplants is leading to new clinical trials aimed at treating children with GvHD resistant to other therapies.
Research published in the journal Blood has linked successful transplants to the health of the microbiota in pediatric patients, marking it as one of the largest studies conducted in this field.
Microbiota transplants involve transferring healthy microbiota from a donor to a patient to restore a balanced gut flora. The process includes thorough screening of potential donors, ensuring that only healthy individuals contribute.
The ongoing work at the Policlinico di Sant'Orsola aims to expand the understanding of microbiota's role in chronic diseases and enhance treatment options for pediatric patients.