KFSHRC Jeddah Launches Post-Transplant Immunotherapy Booster To Cut Relapse Risk

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah has begun providing a post-transplant booster dose for bone marrow transplant patients, using advanced cellular immunotherapy to support graft success and reduce relapse risk. This first-of-its-kind service in the western region allows patients to receive specialised follow-up care locally, reducing physical, emotional, and financial pressures linked to long-distance travel during the recovery period.

The first person to receive the booster dose was a Jeddah resident who had already undergone a bone marrow transplant and faced a significant risk of relapse. The new treatment was given at a crucial moment while the patient remained near family support, avoiding the strain of travel during a vulnerable phase when medical stability and close supervision were especially important.

Before the introduction of the KFSHRC post-transplant booster dose in Jeddah, patients often needed to travel to Riyadh or even outside Saudi Arabia for similar cellular therapies. This created delays and pressure at a time when precise scheduling of follow-up treatment is vital. The new local service helps close a long-standing gap in post-transplant care for patients with serious blood disorders.

Clinical evidence cited by KFSHRC shows that relapse can occur in roughly one-third of bone marrow transplant cases, underlining the need for targeted intervention after the main procedure. The post-transplant booster dose is designed to be administered at carefully selected times, supporting immune recovery and strengthening the body’s defence against the return of underlying disease.

The KFSHRC post-transplant booster dose is delivered intravenously during a short hospital visit and does not usually require extended admission. The dose is created from healthy cells collected in advance from the original donor before transplantation. These stored cells are later infused back into the patient in measured quantities, supporting engraftment and helping the immune system control any remaining or returning abnormal cells.

Through this approach, the booster dose aims to improve immune function, stabilise patients clinically, and reduce relapse risk over the longer term. The therapy is part of a wider movement in cellular immunotherapy that focuses on tailored treatments for complex blood diseases. For Jeddah patients and families, the availability of this option within the city brings follow-up care closer to home.

KFSHRC post-transplant booster dose and hospital leadership

The launch of the KFSHRC post-transplant booster dose strengthens the Jeddah centre’s ability to provide precision cellular therapies and expand advanced immunotherapy use in bone marrow transplantation. The initiative supports KFSHRC’s stated vision of being the provider of choice for every patient, particularly those requiring complex care for blood disorders that demand specialised expertise and technology.

KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and fifteenth worldwide among the top 250 academic medical centres for 2025. Brand Finance has recognised it as the region’s most valuable healthcare brand, while Newsweek has listed it among the World’s Best Hospitals 2025, Best Smart Hospitals 2026, and Best Specialized Hospitals 2026. These rankings reflect its focus on innovation-driven care.

With inputs from SPA