Blood Expansion Technique Could Help Improve Transplant Success

Blood Cell Expansion

Expansion technique could enable cell expansion

New research puts a spotlight on the prospect of blood cancer patient treatment using the NiCord® cord blood expansion technique. The procedure involves culturing and growing cells from a single unit of cord blood in the laboratory in order to generate more beneficial stem cells. If the current clinical trial proves successful, it may lead to further exploration of the treatment method. On occasion, cord blood collections contain a low number of stem cells. A lower number of stem cells may compromise the chances of engraftment and it may contribute to delayed kinetics of neutrophil and platelet recovery; ultimately, it may adversely impact transplant outcomes. Increasing the number of viable cells likely enhances the possibility of more successful transplant procedures. NiCord is composed of expanded allogeneic umbilical cord blood cells that are cultivated outside the body (ex vivo). The process uses the small molecule nicotinamide (NAM), as a non-genetic approach to deter cell differentiation and increase the migration of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells (HPC). This trial is designed to test the safety and effectiveness of the NiCord single ex-vivo expanded cord blood unit transplantation compared to unmanipulated cord blood unit transplantation. You can learn more about the trial details on this page. The research sequence,  is being conducted by Gamida Cell, a biotechnology company that develops cellular and immune therapeutics, and Duke University Medical Center. The phase 2 study showed a reduction in the number of total infections in patients. Additionally, the average hospitalization time for participants in the trial dropped 40%. If this phrase 3 clinical trial for the NiCord expansion method is successful, the NiCord expansion technique could be approved for use in the US, with specified restrictions. The most recent testing was done in nine different locations: Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Netherlands, Singapore and Spain. Research is ongoing, but the prospect of using the expansion techniques in this arena may have a positive impact on the suitability of small volume specimens. Additionally, it could lead to further advancement in the numbers of successful procedures performed using stem cells from umbilical cord blood. REFERNCES: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/new-cord-blood-transplant-treatment-holds-promise-for-blood-cancer-patients https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02730299