Trial Studies Effectiveness of Cord Blood for Bone Marrow Failures
A study conducted at the Hospital Saint Louis has examined the effectiveness of cord blood in the treatment of hereditary bone marrow failures. Cord blood is an alternative option for treating diseases like Blackfan Anemia.
To study cord blood stem cell effectiveness, a total 64 patients with varying bone marrow failures were involved in the study. 21 patients had been diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan anemia while 16 others had been diagnosed with congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT). 16 more patients suffered from severe congenital neutropenia and the remaining 11 had dyskeratosis congenita and Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.
The diseases studied during the trial varied by they all had one thing in common, Inherited Bone Marrow Disorder which are commonly characterized by the bone marrow’s inability to produce blood. Individuals suffering from these types of syndromes are likely to develop cancer and other forms of tumors.
As part of the study, 20 patients received cord blood transplants from related donors while 44 received cord blood from unrelated donors. The results were positive, as the 3-year overall survival rate was 95%. Those under five years of age showed higher survival rates.
Researchers concluded that cord blood transplants from related donors results in ‘excellent outcomes’. Although unrelated transplants did not fare as well, the study stated that an increase in cell dosage would provide better results.