| Popis: |
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has become an alternative to bone marrow and peripheral blood as a source of progenitors for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, and its use has increased greatly in recent years. Although UCB has broad spectrum of possible uses, allogeneic HSC transplantation is the major current indication. In this chapter, a description of the umbilical cord blood characteristics is presented and the factors influencing HSC of UCB are reviewed. In order to support the increasing clinical activity, UCB banks have been established all over the world. The different activities involving UCB banking are also explained. Finally, a summary of selected clinical trials using UCB for related and unrelated HSC transplantation is presented. |
