Stem cell transplants are designed to replace the patient’s unhealthy cells with healthy ones. The most common sources of these healthy cells are the cord blood and bone marrow. Find out why cord blood stem cells are more preferred to be used in transplants than bone marrow stem cells.

1. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORD BLOOD
& BONE MARROW STEM CELLS
Stem cell transplants are designed to replace the patient’s unhealthy cells with healthy ones. The most common
sources of these healthy cells are the cord blood and bone marrow.
CORD TRANSPLANT
Cord blood is blood that is collected from an infant’s umbilical cord after delivery, so that it may be tested, frozen,
and subsequently stored in a cord blood bank for future use.
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT
A bone marrow transplant, on the other hand, involves the use of bone marrow that is transplanted from a donor into
the recipient in order to cultivate new stem cells.The marrow itself is a spongy tissue located inside the bones. Most
commonly, marrow is extracted from either the breastbone, skull, hips, ribs or spine, as these contain stem cells
which produce the following types of blood cells: white blood cells (leukocytes), which fight against infection; red
blood cells (erythrocytes), which carry oxygen in order to eliminate waste from the organs and tissue; and platelets,
which are responsible for making the blood clot.
THERE ARE SEVERAL CRITERIA USED TO EVALUATE WHETHER OR NOT A CORD BLOOD TRANSPLANT IS
THE CORRECT TREATMENT FOR A PATIENT.
A TRANSPLANT PHYSICIAN WILL KEEP THE FOLLOWING FACTORS IN MIND:
Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) is a potentially
serious complication for any organ transplant. In
fact, it is estimated to be fatal in up to 40% of
patients. However, because cord blood is more
primitive than bone marrow, there is a lower chance
that these cells will attack the recipient’s body,
resulting in a lower evidence of GVHD.
Stem cells are found in greater proportions in
umbilical cord blood. In fact, some experts say it
contains nearly 10 times the amount of stem cells
found in bone marrow.
Despite the numerous advantages of cord blood
transplants, bone marrow transplants are still
preferred in the case of graft rejection — or a case in
which the recipient’s body attacks the donor’s stem
cells. According to a recent study, some 11% of cord
blood transplants were rejected, while this was the
case in only 2% of bone marrow transplants.
It is believed that stem cells found in cord blood
have greater regenerative properties since they are
younger than bone marrow.
Stem cell transplants are in high demand, with over
30,000 individuals in line for the procedure each year.
The problem is that waiting for a suitable donor can
often inhibit an individual from having the procedure.
In fact, for this very season, 70% of these individuals
cannot find a matching donor. Unfortunately, for some
individuals, such as those with more severe types of
cancer, this lack of treatment can be fatal. Cord blood
banking, however, helps to alleviate this issue, as
their storage facilities make cord blood readily
available for those in need.
PAIN
CORD BLOOD PREFERRED
From a donor’s perspective, a cord blood transplant
presents a much less invasive procedure, as the
collection of cord blood stem cells happens directly
after birth from the umbilical cord. Bone marrow
transplants, on the other hand, are invasive
procedures, requiring a general anesthesia so that
bone marrow can be removed from the rear of the
pelvic bone through a series of injections.
GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE
(GVHD)
CORD BLOOD PREFERRED
RICH SOURCE OF STEM CELLS
CORD BLOOD PREFERRED
GRAFT REJECTION
BONE MARROW PREFERRED
REGENERATIVE SOURCE
CORD BLOOD PREFERRED
AVAILABILITY
CORD BLOOD PREFERRED
HLA MATCHING
CORD BLOOD PREFERRED
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) is a marker your immune system uses to recognize foreign cells. HLA tissue types
are inherited, which is why it is recommended that a recipient’s bone marrow donor be a family member (ideally a
brother or sister). This is a problem because 70% of donors do not have a suitable donor in their family. However,
because cord blood stem cells are considered to be “younger” (and therefore more adaptable), there is generally less
need to find an exact HLA match.