unrelated cord blood

Unrelated cord blood refers to hematopoietic stem cells harvested from the umbilical cord of a non-related donor, utilized as a therapeutic intervention for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In the context of the clinical research led by Neena Kapoor, M.D., at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, this cell therapy is employed to treat children with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) who lack an HLA-matched sibling donor. The treatment protocol involves a conditioning regimen—typically consisting of busulfan, fludarabine, and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)—to deplete the patient's existing marrow, followed by the intravenous infusion of the cord blood cells. These donor stem cells engraft in the recipient's bone marrow and differentiate into functional T, B, and NK cells, thereby reconstituting a functional immune system in patients who otherwise lack the ability to fight infections.

Other names

unrelated umbilical cord bloodUCBunrelated cord blood transplant