Umbilical Cord Blood in Pediatric Oncohematology & Radiation Recovery
Umbilical Cord Blood in Pediatric Oncohematology and Radiation Recovery
On February 15, International Childhood Cancer Day draws attention to the challenges of pediatric oncology and the potential of modern treatment methods.It is well known that some young patients require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after intensive chemotherapy and radiation that eliminate cancer cells. This applies primarily to children with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, neuroblastoma, and similar conditions. Umbilical cord blood, as a source of hematopoietic stem cells, has long been integrated into treatment protocols and offers several advantages over bone marrow or peripheral blood:
Immediate availability: Cord blood is pre-collected and cryopreserved in biobanks, ready for urgent use, which significantly reduces transplantation waiting time and donor search costs.
Reduced HLA-matching requirements: Unlike other sources, cord blood does not require a full match, making it more accessible for patients who struggle to find suitable donors.
Lower risk of complications: Cord blood poses a reduced risk of viral transmission and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a life-threatening condition in which donor cells attack the patient’s tissues.
Better outcomes in high-risk leukemia: Leukemia treatment has been improved with significant survival rates for patients with high relapse risk when treated with cord blood transplants compared to unrelated adult donors.
Regenerative potential: Cord blood contains additional types of stem cells that can help repair tissues damaged by aggressive cancer treatments, including the heart, pancreas, and brain.
Japan leads the world in pediatric cord blood transplants — over 80% of transplants in children use cord blood. The United States also has a strong track record, particularly at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Duke University, and the Mayo Clinic. In Europe, France became the first to use cord blood in 1988.
In 1992, Duke University performed the first unrelated donor cord blood transplant. In 2004, the Mayo Clinic debunked the myth that a child’s own cord blood could not be used for leukemia treatment, successfully treating a patient with her own stored cells.
Despite being a standard of care for decades, many children with cancer still lack access to their own stem cell deposits, and specialized centers experienced in cord blood therapies remain limited.
Along with that, leading biobanks and research institutions are working on new technologies using cord blood — such as NK cell deposits therapies. Early-phase studies show promising results from the CAR-NK therapies, as well as infusions and combinations of native and activated NK cells. Yet, many physicians treat these cells with caution, prioritizing native cord blood units, which are minimally manipulated and retain their original biological properties. On the other hand, CAR-based therapies offer hope for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments.
The development of CAR-based therapy from umbilical cord blood is also one of the joint projects that the laboratory of the Hemafund group of companies and scientists from the Charité clinic plan to implement in the coming years in Germany.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), isolated from the umbilical cord or placenta, also play a vital role in regenerative medicine. These cells are often used alongside cord blood cells to mitigate consenqueces of the aggressive cancer treatment by repairing damaged tissues and organs. In 2025, the FDA officially approved this method for clinical use.
Cord Blood in Radiation Exposure Scenarios
As the global risk of radiation exposure increases due to nuclear accidents and warfare, cord blood and MSCs may offer life-saving solutions. These cells have shown potential to:
Improve survival rates
Accelerate blood system recovery
Reduce gastrointestinal damage
Alleviate radiation-induced pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis
Even exosomes and microRNAs derived from perinatal tissues may be successful in repairing radiation-induced injuries. New sources of stem cells collection could significantly enhance both civilian and military healthcare preparedness.Numerous international studies are refining cell therapy protocols for radiation sickness - a trend that is, unfortunately, on the rise.
Social Initiative: The Stop Leukemia Program
On this day, February 15, Hemafund highlights its Stop Leukemia social initiative. If your family is expecting a child and already has a child undergoing treatment for leukemia or another blood cancer, you may qualify to collect and store cord blood for free for up to 18 years.
Please contact us before the 37thweek of pregnancy at 044 496 0926 to arrange the free contract and storage logistics in time.
