Authors' objectives: This report aims to provide information on cord blood transplantation as a treatment for an adult patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Authors' recommendations: To date the technology has predominantly been used in children and is considered promising, though only small series and no controlled trials were identified. Very few cord blood transplantations have been performed in adults. No reports of controlled clinical trials on the use of cord blood transplantation for the treatment of leukemia in adults were found. Several key issues remain to be addressed in the use of the technology for adult cases. They included the number of stem cells required to reconstitute hematopoiesis; the use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin; and whether the lack of graft versus host leukemia effect in adults results in an increased risk of leukemic relapse. There are ethical and legal issues which need to be resolved about the collection and use of cord blood.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 1996

URL for published report: https://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search?type=1020

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Institute of Health Economics

Contact Address: 1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;

Contact Name: djuzwishin@ihe.ca

Contact Email: djuzwishin@ihe.ca

Copyright: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research