Stem cell transplantations – Famicord Group own experience

Abstract

The umbilical cord blood is now a renowned source of stem cells that can be used for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Because of cord blood advantages, including immediate availability and higher degree of acceptable HLA mismatch, the number of patients who received such treatment is constantly growing. The limitations of cord blood usage still exist, however laboratory and clinical trials all over the world try to overcome that barriers. Owing to international cooperation of stem cell banks, umbilical cord-derived stem cells from FamiCord Group were used in clinical trials of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. Ten transplantations, including one autologous, took place in Poland, while the other three were carried out in Hungary. The most common indication was acute leukemia, however among children with hematologic diseases there were also patients with histiocytosis, chronic granulomatous disease or hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Currently many scientists explore the possibilities of umbilical cord stem cell potential clinical usage with promising results.