Double cord blood and 9/10 matched unrelated donor reduced-intensity transplants have similar outcomes, but using cord blood results in a significantly lower incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), according to a study of 152 patients (median age 53 years) transplanted for hematological malignancies. Two-year survival was comparable between both groups: 52.3% in the double cord group vs. 47.9% in the unrelated donor group (p=0.55). The two-year cumulative incidence of extensive chronic GVHD was 6.4% and 21.4%, respectively, (p=0.02). The researchers conclude that in reduced-intensity transplantation, a double cord blood graft is a valid alternative to a 9/10 matched unrelated donor, and leads to significantly less chronic GVHD.
Lower Chronic GVHD in Double Cord Blood HCT
Aug 2013