Assessment of cord blood unit characteristics on the day of transplant: comparison with data issued by cord blood banks.
BACKGROUND
Selection of a cord blood (CB) unit for allogeneic transplantation relies on graft characterization results provided by cord blood banks (CBBs). The goal was to compare the graft characterization results obtained upon thawing and washing to those provided by CBBs at selection.


METHODS
With tests that assess CB graft characteristics known to impact engraftment, CB units have been analyzed after thaw and before infusion. Our results were compared to data provided by CBBs to determine the impact on engraftment and assess how CBB-supplied information can affect future CB unit selection.


RESULTS
Variability was noted as to the type of information provided by the different CBBs. Also, variability was found between the information provided by CBBs and the graft characterization results obtained upon thawing and washing. In some cases, CB measures known to be predictive of engraftment were found much lower than reported by CBBs. Only the total nucleated cell count, which is the main CB graft selection criterion besides HLA matching, correlated favorably.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data reveal a high degree of variability in graft characteristics provided by CBBs and often poor correlation with results obtained on thawed and washed CB units. We suggest that standardized laboratory procedures aimed at graft characterization should be used by both CBBs and transplant centers to avoid unacceptable discrepancies.
Wagner
Eric
E
Division of Hematology-Oncology, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Duval
Michel
M
Dalle
Jean-Hugues
JH
Morin
Hugo
H
Bizier
Sonia
S
Champagne
Josette
J
Champagne
Martin A
MA
D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000592:standards*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011356:Product Labeling; D011786:Quality Control; D012308:Risk Management