Cord blood stem cells in action.

Many stem cell transplants performed for young patients (less than 20 years old)
are cord blood transplants, mostly for acute leukaemias or hemoglobinpathies
like Beta Thalassemia.

These are some of the advantages such transplants offer over bone marrow
transplants today - and will continue to offer in the future:

• Faster access to treatment, on average patients receive cord blood transplantation earlier than those receiving conventional bone marrow grafts
• Extension of the donor pool; cord blood transplantation will tolerate a greater mismatch of tissue types between donor and the recipient than is acceptable with bone marrow or peripheral blood
• Lower incidence and severity of graft verses host disease
• Lower incidence of viral transmission (in particular, Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus)
• Reduction in donor attrition - bone marrow donors may change their mind over time or may no longer be available