Umbilical cord blood: biology and transplantation

Abstract

Umbilical cord blood transplantation is becoming an acceptable alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for patients with malignant diseases. Cord blood differs from bone marrow and peripheral blood progenitors in its immune tolerance and kinetics of engraftment. In this article, we will review the biology of cord blood stem cells and clinical studies of cord blood transplants in pediatric and adult populations. We will also discuss potential uses of cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine and novel methods for ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. As we learn more about cord blood transplants, there is the potential to overcome the limitations of cord blood transplants so that they can become more widely available.

Keywords::

• cord blood
• ex vivo stem cell expansion
• hematopoietic stem cell
• regenerative medicine
• transplantation

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.