(P-BT-14) Cord Blood Banks; Are We Underselling Ourselves?

Background/Case Studies: Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation (UCBT) is a valuable treatment option for patients with malignant and non-malignant disorders, particularly in cases with limited adult donor options. The selection of a suitable cord blood unit (CBU) can be complex, however there are several published guidelines (e.g. Little et al, Politikos et al) which provide recommendations on suitable CBU selection. Data presentation in CBU reports provided by Cord Blood Banks (CBBs) varies from bank to bank, which can make it difficult to interpret. In 2023 the UK Cord Support Programme (UKCSP) developed the current CBU Report Quality Checklist to standardise the information presented.

Study

Design/Methods: The aim of the UKCSP Checklist is to allow transplant centres (TCs) to assess CBU quality to aid decision making based on key data presented in a standardised format. Data is transcribed into the checklist from the CBU report provided by the supplying CBB. When data is missing or outside the ranges as recommended by the British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (BSHI) guidelines it will flag on the checklist (see Little et al). Out of 1065 checklists produced in FY24/25 we are analysing over 130 Checklists which included post-thaw data, including those for CBUs requested for import into the UK.

Results/Findings: Figure A is a typical example of a UKCSP Checklist with incomplete data. Numerous data points as recommended by both global guidelines and accrediting bodies are missing e.g. no viability data and no post-thaw assessment of TNC or CD34 recovery. There is evidence to suggest that if CBU selection guidelines are followed by TCs, better patient outcomes will be achieved (Metheny L et al).

Conclusions: CBBs should provide as much data as possible in a clear and transparent manner to support selecting the best graft for the patient. Registries facilitating search have a role to play by engaging the national CBB expertise to help TCs in standardising and evaluating CBU data.