Clinical safety in using unmatched allogeneic umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells transplantations in non-haematopoietic degenerative conditions.

Aim: Evaluation of safety in using unmatched human allogeneic umbilical cord blood cells for therapeutic use in individuals with non-haematopoietic degenerative conditions.

Background: The historical data and several recent immunological arguments suggest the therapeutic use of allogeneic Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells (CBMNCs), as these cells do not elicit immune response. Customarily, HLA matched cord blood MNCs are used along with prolonged immunosuppression in treatment of haematological conditions. Lately, unmatched CBMNCs are widely used in case of unavailability of HLA matched cord blood. There have been suggestions for using unmatched allogeneic cord blood MNCs for degenerative conditions without an immunoconditioning regimen.

Method: 49 patients with non-haematopoietic degenerative conditions were treated with HLA-unmatched allogeneic hUCB MNCs. Intrathecal/I.V injections (1-2 million cells/kg body weight) were given. Clinical, biochemical and haematological adverse events were evaluated.

Results: The haematological and biochemical parameters showed no major deviation from the normal. Clinically, no acute adverse effects or GVHD were observed with the used dosage.

Conclusion: This study supports/suggests clinical safety in therapeutic medical use of unmatched allogeneic CBMNCs when used at low dosage in non-haematopoietic degenerative conditions.