3. ADVANTAGES OF CORD BLOOD UNITS (TRANSPLANTS)
- Cord blood transplants are 100% histocompatible with the donor (child) while they can be used for other members of the family. For transplants, the primary advantage of cord blood stem cells over stem cells from adults is that they cause much less graft versus host disease (GvHD). In order to safely transplant adult stem cells, the patient and donor must match over at least 10 of 12 tissue types called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA), or 83% HLA match. By comparison, medical outcomes are just as good with cord blood that has a 4 out of 6 or 67% HLA match.(Reference: V Rocha, et al, 2000; NEJM 342:1846)
- Harvesting umbilical cord blood poses no risk to mother or child, whereas a bone marrow donor must undergo a surgical procedure.
- Stored cord blood is ready for use as soon as it is needed, whereas the process of contacting and testing donors listed in a registry takes weeks to months (like the cases with bone marrow transplants).
- Stem cells from cord blood have enhanced capability of self-renewal, a characteristic that makes cord blood transplants ‘valuable’ units for transplantation.
NEWS
LIAISON Stem Cell Banking: Provision of new services
