$12 Million Grant Awarded for Cord Blood Research

The National Cancer Institute has awarded a remarkable $12 million grant to aid in the development of cord blood research. With the grant money, researchers at The MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College's Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital and The Methodist Hospital will be able find ways to improve cord blood transplants for cancer patients.

One of the main focuses of the study will be the expansion of cord blood stem cells. The number of stem cells that are derived from cord blood units are often low, which can make it difficult for new and healthy cells to grow inside patients. As part of this research project, researchers have already developed a way to expand the number of stem cells that can be derived from a cord blood unit. The second phase of this clinical trial is set to begin shortly.

Another aspect of the research will examine how to expand cord blood stem cells so that they prevent infection in patients who receive transplants. Again, this research is already in its second phase.

Finally, the researchers will address the issue of relapses. There is always the possibility that a leukemia or lymphoma patient can relapse after their treatment and, as part of this research, scientists want to prevent this from happening in the future.

These a major developments for cord blood technology and, like the researchers involved in these projects, we are excited to see how they will advance.

http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=4486&r=1