Banca del Sangue Cordonale - U.O.C. Medicina Trasfusionale, Sciacca, United States
Background/Case Studies: The Sicily Cord Blood Bank, located in Sciacca, is the regional reference center for the Cord Blood Units (CBUs) collection, intended for transplantation use. The criteria for CBUs suitable for transplant purposes are HSC > 2 x 10⁶ and TNC > 1200 x 10⁶. However, 95% of collected CBUs are not eligible for transplantation, due to the low number of hematopoietic stem cells present in the units. For this reason, since 2020, CBUs that are not suitable for transplant have been used for the production of non-transfusion therapeutic products (EUNT), which are provided to patients for the treatment of wounds and ocular diseases.The blood components derived from the processing of CBUs, include leucodepleted Red Blood Cells (CB-RBC), Platelet-Poor Plasma (CB-PPP), and Platelet Concentrate (CB-PC). A validation study has been carried out that allows obtaining, from each single unit, all the main blood components, with potential applications in different clinical and research fields.
Study
Design/Methods: SCO units intended for clinical use with a volume > 40 ml and platelets > 150 x 109, follow a fractionation protocol that allows obtaining, after double centrifugation, three blood components: CB-RBC, CB-PC and CB-PPP.
The CB-RBC fraction is diluted using a preservative solution (SAG-M) and then subjected to filtration for leukocyte depletion, using a specific filter. CB-RBC units are stored at a temperature of + 2-6°C for up to 14 days; instead, CB-PC and CB-PPP fractions are stored at temperatures below -30°C for up to two years.
For the validation of CB-RBC units, quality controls such as platelet and red blood cell counts, and more specific parameters such as blood potassium and hemolysis rate were included.
Results/Findings: In 2022-2023-2024, a total of 5194 SCO units were collected from 43 different birth points belonging to the bank. 2,7% of these units were cryopreserved and made available for possible haematopoietic stem cell transplants. Remaining units that are not suitable for transplant use were fractionated to obtain three different blood components (Table 1).
Conclusions: Non-Transfusion Therapeutic Blood Components (EUNT) derived from CBUs are currently used in various clinical applications, including the production of eye drops for ocular surface diseases and platelet gels for the treatment of chronic skin ulcers. Similarly, the use of these units for neonatal transfusions is now well supported by scientific literature; these studies aim to transfuse preterm infants with CB-RBC derived from cord blood and evaluate the potential reduction of related complications (lower incidence of retinopathy), as previously reported. At the same time, it is necessary to maximize collection in all birth points to obtain greater availability of EUNT for the benefit of patients, with the aim of ensuring better care and clinical efficacy compared to traditional medicines.
