Mandaya Puri Hospital has introduced plasma exchange therapy, also known as plasmapheresis, to treat advanced cases of multiple myeloma and the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis (MG). The introduction of this therapy brings encouraging news for patients suffering from multiple myeloma and MG.
Plasmapheresis is a type of apheresis—a procedure used to remove or replace components of the blood. In some medical conditions, certain blood components need to be removed or replaced. In plasmapheresis, the component removed or replaced is the plasma.
Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood that contains antibodies. In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells multiply rapidly and produce a type of protein known as M protein. This protein can accumulate, making the blood thicker and more difficult to circulate throughout the body. This abnormal protein can also damage the kidneys. In MG, the antibodies in plasma—normally meant to protect the body—begin attacking healthy cells, causing disruptive symptoms.
Plasmapheresis is performed using a special machine that separates and replaces the plasma. The extracted plasma is discarded and replaced with a substitute fluid, which helps alleviate severe symptoms and improve the patient’s condition.
For multiple myeloma, plasmapheresis serves as a supportive treatment. This means that while it does not cure the disease, it can temporarily relieve symptoms and treat complications—especially myeloma kidney.
“In cases of MG, this therapy can ease severe symptoms associated with the condition, such as respiratory failure,” said Erwin Suyanto, Public Relations Officer for Mandaya Hospital Group.
For MG cases, plasma exchange therapy helps relieve severe symptoms, but patients must continue taking medications prescribed by their doctors.
It’s also important to note that in some cases, multiple sessions of plasma exchange therapy may be needed to achieve optimal results.
The plasma exchange therapy team at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital includes neurology specialists with neuromuscular subspecialties, such as Dr. Luh Ari Indrawati, Sp.N, Subsp. E.N.K.(K), who has extensive experience treating MG and other rare autoimmune neurological diseases.
Additionally, the hospital is staffed with internal medicine specialists and hematology-medical oncology consultants (Sp.PD-KHOM) who are experts in treating multiple myeloma, leukemia, and other types of blood cancer.
Plasmapheresis for multiple myeloma is one of the treatments offered at the Mandaya Blood Cancer Center. This center also provides other treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy using the top-class Linac Elekta Versa HD system.
Mandaya’s Blood Cancer Center also collaborates with the NCIS-NUH Singapore team to discuss every blood cancer case treated at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital. This partnership helps determine diagnoses, assess patient conditions, evaluate therapy effectiveness, and choose the best treatment options.
As for autoimmune diseases, Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital is equipped with advanced medical equipment and a fully equipped laboratory, offering tests such as the Anti-MuSK antibody test and genetic testing through whole genome sequencing and whole exome sequencing.
Mandaya’s Success in Treating Autoimmune Diseases with Apheresis
Mandaya has successfully treated MG using apheresis therapy. Patients who previously experienced MG crisis (a complication marked by weakened respiratory muscles) and had to be admitted to the Emergency Room (ER) have seen improvements after undergoing plasma exchange therapy.
These successes demonstrate that apheresis—including plasmapheresis—offers promising results.
“This proves that Indonesian medical care and professionals are highly capable and can compete globally. Patients no longer need to travel abroad for treatment,” Erwin emphasized.
Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital remains committed and tireless in bringing the latest technology and services to its patients. The goal is to ensure that patients can receive world-class treatment right here in Indonesia.