title: Umbilical cord blood stem cells: clinical trials in non-hematological disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has become the second most common source of stem cells for cell therapy. The recent boom in stem cell research and public fascination with promises of stem cell-based therapies, fueled by the media, have led researchers to explore the potential of UCB stem cells in therapy for non-hematological disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  ClinicalTrials.gov database searched with key words 'cord blood stem cells' on December 28, 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As a rich source of the most primitive hematopoietic stem cells, UCB has a strong regenerative potential in stem cell-based-therapy for hematological disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Potential of UCB stem cells in therapy for non-hematological disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing number of clinical trials with UCB stem cell-based therapy for a variety of diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A need for standardization of criteria for selection of UCB units for stem cell-based therapy, outcome measures and long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratories, Guy's Assisted Conception Unit, Division of Women’s Health, King's College School of Medicine, London, UK. dusko.ilic@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Dusko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ilic
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miere
authors.forename: Emilija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lazic
mesh_terms: D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans