Umbilical cord blood transplantation for myeloid malignancies

Purpose of review To review the available data on the outcomes of pediatric and adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelogenous leukemia after umbilical cord blood transplantation. Recent findings The literature shows that after umbilical cord blood transplantation the relapse rate, disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with myeloid malignancies is similar to other hematopoietic stem cells sources. Disease status at the time of transplantation is found in several studies to be a very important determinant of long-term outcome. Newer strategies such as double umbilical cord blood transplant and utilization of nonmyeloblative conditioning regimens show promising results. Summary Umbilical cord blood is a valuable alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation of patients with myeloid malignancies who need an allogeneic transplant, but lack a suitable sibling donor.