Cord Blood News Volume 3.01 | Jan 13 2011

Reduced Late Mortality Risk Contributes to Similar Survival After Double Unit Cord Blood Transplantation as Compared with Related and Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Researchers compared survival of 75 double unit cord blood (CB) transplantation, 108 related donor transplantation, and 184 unrelated donor transplantation recipients transplanted over the same period for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Data provide strong support for the further investigation of double unit CB grafts as an alternative hematopoietic stem cell source. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

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Stem Cell Discovery Could Lead to Improved Bone Marrow Transplants
Researchers have identified a key molecule for establishing blood stem cells in their niche within the bone marrow. [Press release from the University of California, Santa Cruz discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell]

Cell Transplantation Reports a Success in Treating End-Stage Liver Disease
Transplanting autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells into 48 patients with end-stage liver disease resulted in therapeutic benefit to a high number of the patients, report researchers. Yet, the mechanism by which the infusion of CD34+ stem cells improves liver function remains elusive. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in Cell Transplantation]

Robo4 Cooperates with Cxcr4 to Specify Hematopoietic Stem Cell Localization to Bone Marrow Niches
Researchers demonstrate that the guidance molecule Robo4 functions to specifically anchor hematopoietic stem cells to bone marrow niches. [Cell Stem Cell]

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index Predicts Transplant Outcomes in Pediatric Patients
Results indicate that the hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) specific comorbidity index score predicts non-relapse mortality and overall survival in pediatric patients undergoing HCT and is a useful tool to assess risk, guide counseling in the pre-transplant setting and devise innovative therapies for the highest risk groups. [Blood]

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in 48 Patients with End-Stage Chronic Liver Diseases
Results suggest that autologous CD34+ stem cell transplantation may be safely administered and appears to offer some therapeutic benefit to patients with both viral and autoimmune-induced end-stage liver disease. [Cell Transplant]

Distinct Phenotypes and Regenerative Potentials of Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Outgrowth Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived from Umbilical Cord Blood
Using endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) isolated from umbilical cord blood, the study aimed to clarify the transition of functional properties from early EPCs to outgrowth EPCs for potential applications in regenerative medicine. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med]

Cord Blood Unit Access and Selection: 2010 and Beyond: Best Practices and Emerging Trends in Cord Blood Unit Selection
As the use of umbilical cord blood for unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation increases, several issues emerge that require additional attention and refinement. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type 1: A Single Center Experience
A retrospective analysis was performed for eleven patients diagnosed with leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantations over the past 19 years at a single institution. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Effect of Conditioning Regimen Intensity on Acute Myeloid Leukemia Outcomes After Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Umbilical cord blood with reduced intensity conditioning extends the use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for older and frail patients without excessive transplant related mortality with greater benefit for patients in complete remission (CR) 1 and CR2 with longer CR1. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Effects of Human Placental Serum on Proliferation and Morphology of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells
Results indicate that medium enriched with human placental serum provided a better microenvironment for human adipose tissue-derived stem cells in comparison with medium enriched with commercially available fetal bovine serum, and other human sera. [Bone Marrow Transplant]

A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of IL-17 Gene in the Recipient Is Associated with Acute GVHD After HLA-Matched Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplant
Results suggest an association of the 197A genotype in the recipient side with the development of acute GVHD. [Bone Marrow Transplant]

Gamida Cell Launches Blood Cancer Treatment Trial
Elbit Medical Technologies Ltd. announced that subsidiary Gamida Cell Ltd. has begun a clinical trial of its NiCord product for the treatment of blood cancer. [Globes]

The Power of “Convergence”
A new model for scientific research known as “convergence” offers the potential for revolutionary advances in biomedicine and other areas of science, according to a white paper issued today by 12 leading Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. [Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press Release]

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