Umbilical cord blood transplantation for myeloid malignancies.
OBJECTIVE
To review the available data on the outcomes of pediatric and adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelogenous leukemia after umbilical cord blood transplantation.


RESULTS
The literature shows that after umbilical cord blood transplantation the relapse rate, disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with myeloid malignancies is similar to other hematopoietic stem cells sources. Disease status at the time of transplantation is found in several studies to be a very important determinant of long-term outcome. Newer strategies such as double umbilical cord blood transplant and utilization of nonmyeloblative conditioning regimens show promising results.


CONCLUSIONS
Umbilical cord blood is a valuable alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation of patients with myeloid malignancies who need an allogeneic transplant, but lack a suitable sibling donor.
Brunstein
Claudio G
CG
Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. bruns072@umn.edu
Baker
K Scott
KS
Wagner
John E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome