Authors' objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of cord blood stem cell storage for: 1) Future potential use by the person who has just been born but does not suffer any current pathology, 2) use by a third party who suffers one of the pathologies which benefit from conventional bone marrow transplantation (leukemia, lymphoma, some central nervous system tumors, hemoglobinopathies, aplastic anemia and other diseases related to genetic disorders such as metabolic disorders).

Authors' results and conclusions: The different coverage policies and opinions of the scientific associations found, including the Asociacion Argentina de Hemoterapia e Inmunohematologia (Argentine Society on Hemotherapy and Immunohematology), support the storage for those cases in which there is a currently sick relative who might specifically benefit from its use (in general, the same indications as for conventional bone marrow transplantation). However, the storage is not recommended for later use of the person who has just been born, for non-defined future potential purposes. This potential use is not included in the coverage policy provided by the analysed health systems.In the systematic review, its use was assessed as an alternative to conventional bone marrow transplantation. Among the studies included, there were very few which included control groups, were not randomized and compared the use of cord blood cells and the bone marrow cells. After adjustment for baseline differences, a lower incidence of graft versus host disease was noted in the cord blood stem cell group (reducing it approximately by half), although there were no differences in the rate of cellular clone recovery (neutrophils and platelets), nor in the mortality between the two groups three years after transplantation.

Authors' recommendations: Up until now, preservation of cord blood stem cell storage is supported for a short term, until the moment of transplantation, if there were a relative who might benefit from their use and if a compatible bone marrow donor were not found. The indications are similar to those for conventional bone marrow transplantation. Cord blood stem cell storage from every newborn, for its potential future use, is not advisable as routine practice, since its possible benefits are still unknown.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.iecs.org.ar/

Year Published: 2004

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)