A Clinical Study on Double-Unit Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Adults with Hematologic Disease

In this study, we explored the efficiency and toxicity of 46 cases of double-unit CBT in adults with hematologic disease.

The tolerance; transplant related complications; survival rate and disease free survival rate were observed and analyzed. A nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen included cyclophosphamide, fludarabine and 2Gy TBI. Cyclosporine combined mycophenolate mofetil and ATG were used to prevent graft versus host disease (GVHD).

All these 46 patients tolerated the therapy well while four patients had graft failure. Severe acute GVHD was presented in 6 patients. Chronic GVHD was occurred in 18 patients. Fatal infection complications were occurred in 7 patients (including CMV idiopathic pneumonia in 2 patients) and 5 patients relapsed after transplantation. Neutrophil engraftment obtained on day +17 and platelet reconstitution occurred on day +42 on median. In the follow-up duration of 29 months on median, the expected 3-year relapse mortality was 16.7%; non-relapse mortality was 26.1%; overall survival was 57.7%, and disease free survival was 48.2%.

The use of double-unit CBT after reduced intensive conditioning therapy in adults with hematologic disease is an effective and safe treatment. Fatal infection and relapse are the main reasons of failure.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.