Safety evaluation of allogeneic umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell therapy for degenerative conditions

Abstract

BackgroundThe current paradigm for cord blood transplantation is that HLA matching and immune suppression are strictly required to prevent graft versus host disease (GVHD). Immunological arguments and historical examples have been made that the use of cord blood for non-hematopoietic activities such as growth factor production, stimulation of angiogenesis, and immune modulation may not require matching or immune suppression.Methods114 patients suffering from non-hematopoietic degenerative conditions were treated with non-matched, allogeneic cord blood. Doses of 1-3 × 107 cord blood mononuclear cells per treatment, with 4-5 treatments both intrathecal and intravenously were performed. Adverse events and hematological, immunological, and biochemical parameters were analyzed for safety evaluation.ResultsNo serious adverse effects were reported. Hematological, immunological, and biochemical parameters did not deviate from normal ranges as a result of therapy.ConclusionThe current hematology-based paradigm of need for matching and immune suppression needs to be revisited when cord blood is used for non-hematopoietic regenerative purposes in immune competent recipients.

Cord Blood as a Treatment for Stroke

“…These studies are best addressed in a larger animal model. There is one report in which 114 patients suffering from with 13 varied neurologic injuries or diseases all received allogeneic UCB MSC transplants with no preconditioning, HLA matching or immune suppression (Yang et al 2010). All hematologic and immunologic parameters and serum chemistries were in the normal range for these patients.…”

Human allogeneic AB0/Rh-identical umbilical cord blood cells in the treatment of juvenile patients with cerebral palsy

“…The feasibility of allogeneic UCB cell infusions into patients with non-hematopoietic degenerative conditions was evaluated in the study conducted by Yang et al [38]. One hundred fourteen patients with paraplegia, ataxia, multiple or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, among other conditions, received multiple (up to 4e5) intrathecal injections combined with intravenous infusion of allogeneic HLA-unmatched UCB mononuclear cells (1e3 Â 10 7 cells per treatment).…”

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Rescue Ischemic Tissues

“…Although HUCB cells are less immunogenic, long term studies should be considered to evaluate the long term safety with or without immunosuppression. Jozwiak et al and Yang et al have reported on using HUCB cells for the safe treatment of a single case of global brain ischemia and in a number of neurological disorders (including stroke) respectively with short term follow-up (Jozwiak et al, 2010;Yang et al, 2010). Second, because HUCB collection can only be performed at single timepoints (i.e.…”