Abstract
Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells that has been used for transplantation for over 30 years, especially when there is no compatible hematopoietic stem cell donor available. Its use has decreased more recently, since the development of methods to improve haploidentical transplants has allowed the use of mobilized peripheral blood as a source of hematopoietic stem cells. Public cord blood banks collect, process and store cord blood samples from voluntary donations. In addition, many public banks are involved in research to enhance hematopoietic stem cell therapies and develop new treatments for haematological and genetic diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in 2019, has had a profound and wide-ranging impact on human health and treatment. The area of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was deeply affected by reductions in bone marrow, peripheral blood and cord blood donations; logistical challenges; exposure of healthcare workers and other challenges. The present study reviews the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cord blood banking and transportation around the world with a special focus on Brazil.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Algwaiz G, Aljurf M, Koh M et al (2020) Real-world issues and potential solutions in hematopoietic cell transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from the worldwide network for blood and marrow transplantation and center for international blood and marrow transplant research health services and international studies committee. Biol Blood Marrow Transpl 26(12):2181–2189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.07.021
Allan DS, Green M, Morris G et al (2022) Demand and usage of unrelated donor products for allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Canadian blood services stem cell registry analysis. Vox Sang 117(9):1121–1125. https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.13294
Anurogo D, Yuli Prasetyo Budi N, Thi Ngo MH, Huang YH, Pawitan JA (2021) Cell and gene therapy for anemia: hematopoietic stem cells and gene editing. Int J Mol Sci 22(12):6275. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126275
Ardura M, Hartley D, Dandoy C et al (2020) Addressing the impact of the coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on hematopoietic cell transplantation: learning networks as a means for sharing best practices. Biol Blood Marrow Transpl 26(7):e147–e160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.04.018
Auletta JJ, Novakovich JL, Stritesky GL et al (2021) Meeting the demand for unrelated donors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: rapid adaptations by the national Marrow donor program and its network partners ensured a safe supply of donor products. Transpl Cell Ther 27(2):133–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtct.2020.10.014
Barker JN, Kurtzberg J, Ballen K et al (2017) Optimal practices in unrelated donor cord blood transplantation for hematologic malignancies. Biol Blood Marrow Transpl 23(6):882–896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.03.006
Chang YJ, Wang Y, Xu LP et al (2020) Haploidentical donor is preferred over matched sibling donor for pre-transplantation MRD positive ALL: a phase 3 genetically randomized study. J Hematol Oncol 30(1):27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-020-00860-y
Cobo F, Stacey GN, Hunt C et al (2005) Microbiological control in stem cell banks: approaches to standardisation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 68(4):456–466. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-0062-2
Damele L, Spaggiari GM, Parodi M et al (2022) Cord blood-derived natural killer cell exploitation in immunotherapy protocols: more than a promise? Cancers (Basel) 14(18):4439. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14184439
Debiazi Zomer H, Girardi Gonçalves AJ, Andrade J, Benedetti A, Gonçalves Trentin A (2021) Lack of information about umbilical cord blood banking leads to decreased donation rates among Brazilian pregnant women. Cell Tissue Bank 22(4):597–607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-021-09903-1
Dessels C, Alessandrini M, Pepper MS (2018) Factors influencing the umbilical cord blood stem cell industry: an evolving treatment landscape. Stem Cells Transl Med 7(9):643–650. https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.17-0244
Devi S, Bongale AM, Tefera MA, Dixit P, Bhanap P (2023) Fresh umbilical cord blood-a source of multipotent stem cells, collection, banking, cryopreservation, and ethical concerns. Life (Basel) 13(9):1794. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13091794
Esteves I, Santos FPS, Ribeiro AAF et al (2017) Survival, toxicity and length of stay after haploidentical or cord blood transplantation in a latin American center: a cross-sectional, comparative study. Blood Cancer J 7(5):e563. https://doi.org/10.1038/bcj.2017.44
Giammarco S, Sica S, Metafuni E et al (2023) Impact of Covid 19 pandemic on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activities: report from a single center. Transpl Apher Sci 62(4):103708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transci.2023.103708
Gluckman E, Broxmeyer HA, Auerbach AD et al (1989) Hematopoietic reconstitution in a patient with Fanconi’s anemia by means of umbilical-cord blood from an HLA-identical sibling. N Engl J Med 321(17):1174–1178. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198910263211707
Gupta AO, Wagner JE (2020) Umbilical cord blood transplants: current status and evolving therapies. Front Pediatr 8:570282. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.570282
Gutman JA, Ross K, Smith C et al (2016) Chronic graft versus host disease burden and late transplant complications are lower following adult double cord blood versus matched unrelated donor peripheral blood transplantation. Bone Marrow Transpl 51(12):1588–1593. https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2016.186
Keating AK, Langenhorst J, Wagner JE et al (2019) The influence of stem cell source on transplant outcomes for pediatric patients with acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Adv 3(7):1118–1128. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2018025908
Ko YK, Lee JK, Park HK et al (2023) Reducing microbial contamination in hematopoietic stem cell products and quality improvement strategy: retrospective analysis of 1996–2021 data. Ann Lab Med WMDA 43(5):477–484. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2023.43.5.477
Kurtzberg J, Laughlin M, Graham ML et al (1996) Placental blood as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation into unrelated recipients. N Engl J Med 335(3):157–166. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199607183350303
Kurtzberg J, Troy JD, Page KM et al (2023) Unrelated donor cord blood transplantation in children: lessons learned over 3 decades. Stem Cells Transl Med 12(1):26–38. https://doi.org/10.1093/stcltm/szac079
Lee YH (2022) COVID-19 pandemic: a double-edged sword for cord blood banking. Blood Res 56(1):1–3. https://doi.org/10.5045/br.2021.2021021
Mehta RS, Holtan SG, Wang T et al (2020) Composite GRFS and CRFS outcomes after adult alternative donor HCT. J Clin Oncol 38(18):2062–2076. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.19.00396
Mihaylova A, Naumova E (2022) Cord blood banking in the COVID-19 era: a single center experience. Maedica (Bucur). 2022;17(1):240–241. https://doi.org/10.26574/maedica.2022.17.1.240
Morniroli D, Vizzari G, Tosi M et al (2023) Mother-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. Sci Rep 13(1):8813. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36097-1
Passweg JR, Baldomero H, Chabannon C et al (2021) Hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy survey of the EBMT: monitoring of activities and trends over 30 years. Bone Marrow Transpl 56(7):1651–1664. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-021-01227-8
Passweg JR, Baldomero H, Chabannon C et al (2022) Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies in Europe 2020: a report from the EBMT activity survey. Bone Marrow Transpl 57(5):742–752. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-022-01604-x
Passweg JR, Baldomero H, Ciceri F et al (2023) Hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies in Europe 2021. The second year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A report from the EBMT Activity Survey. Bone Marrow Transpl 58(6):647–658. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-023-01943-3Epub 2023 Mar 6
Rafii H, Garnier F, Ruggeri A et al (2021) Umbilical cord blood transplants facilitated by the French cord blood banks network. On behalf of the Agency of Biomedicine, Eurocord and the French society of bone marrow transplant and cell therapy (SFGM-TC). Bone Marrow Transpl 56(10):2497–2509. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-021-01313-x
Rafii H, Ionescu I, Ruggeri A et al (2022) Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the use and release of cord blood units facilitated by the French cord blood Banks Network: on behalf of the Agency of Biomedicine, Eurocord and the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy (SFGM-TC). Bone Marrow Transpl 57(1):125–127. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-021-01477-6
REDOME (2023) Registro Nacional de Doadores de Medula Ossea – http://redome.inca.gov.br/cordao-umbilical/ Accessed 21 Oct 2023
Romanov YA, Kosolapova YA, Zubkov VV et al (2022) Mild or moderate COVID-19 during pregnancy does not affect the content of cd34 + hematopoietic stem cells in umbilical cord blood of newborns. Bull Exp Biol Med 173(4):523–528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-022-05575-3
Rubinstein P (2006) Why cord blood? Hum Immunol 67(6):398–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humimm.2006.03.015
Sahu KK, Siddiqui AD, Cerny J (2020) COVID-19 pandemic and impact on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transpl 55(11):2193–2195. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-020-0913-6
Samuel GN, Kerridge IH, O’Brien TA (2008) Umbilical cord blood banking: public good or private benefit? Med J Aust 188(9):533–535. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb02198.x
Savran Oguz F, Erol A, Kekik Cinar C et al (2022) Blood and bone marrow donor registry of Istanbul medical faculty activity and experience in past 3 years: a cross-sectional documentation of TRIS activity: the first blood and marrow registry in Turkey. Cell Tissue Bank 23(3):483–488. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-021-09967-z
Shahzad M, Chaudhary SG, Zafar MU et al (2022) Impact of COVID-19 in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transpl Infect Dis 24(2):e13792. https://doi.org/10.1111/tid.13792
Shi PA, Luchsinger LL, Greally JM, Delaney CS (2022) Umbilical cord blood: an undervalued and underutilized resource in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and novel cell therapy applications. Curr Opin Hematol 29(6):317–326. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOH.0000000000000732
Sugiyanto M, Gosal S, Kosim A, Tahapary DL, Sianipar IR (2023) Impact of the source of hematopoietic stem cells on immune reconstitution after transplantation: a systematic review. Eur J Haematol 111(1):4–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejh.13966
Turcan N, Ivanescu B, Stancioiu F, Baicus A, Cirstoiu MM (2021) COVID-19 pandemic impact on cord blood collection for stem cell use and actual perspectives. Maedica (Bucur) 16(2):189–193. https://doi.org/10.26574/maedica.2021.16.2.189
WHO (2023) https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/05/1136367. Accessed 27 November 2023
WMDA (2021) https://wmda.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021_D2.1-Report-on-2020-unrelated-stem-cell-transplants.pdf. Accessed 27 November 2023
Zhu X, Tang B, Sun Z (2021) Umbilical cord blood transplantation: still growing and improving. Stem Cells Transl Med 10 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S62–S74. https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.20-0495
Acknowledgements
We are thankful to Dr Danielli Cristina Muniz de Oliveira (Coordinator of the Registro Brasileiro de Doadores Voluntários de Medula Óssea, REDOME) for contributing with information on the Brazilian public cord blood banks. L.M.R. was recipient of a scholarship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
L.M.R. and N.B.N. reviewed the literature and wrote the manuscript. All authors reviewed the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Röhsig, L.M., Nardi, N.B. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cord blood banking and transplantation. Cell Tissue Bank (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-023-10122-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-023-10122-z