University of Minnesota Physicians in partnership with University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview is in the news again with a ground breaking study in the field of umbilical cord blood research. Led by Dr. John E. Wagner, director, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, the research study suggests that umbilical blood transplants should be considered as the first treatment option for children with leukemia. A cord blood transplant is equal to or a better treatment choice than bone marrow transplants for childhood leukemia. This finding is especially important for cancer patients that cannot find a matched marrow donor, which is most common in patients of racial and ethnic minority decent.

University of Minnesota is home to the largest cord blood transplant program in the world. Dr. Wagner, director of this Program, states that cord blood transplants have all but replaced bone marrow transplants for children at University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview. Based on current trends, Wagner believes that the use of umbilical cord blood will become the principal “first-line therapy” at other hospitals within the next five years as well. 

“Among the clear advantages of using cord blood is that it’s immediately available and tissue matching between the donor and patients is clearly not necessary. In contrast to marrow which takes an average of 3-4 months to obtain and complete, matching is required for optimal outcome, states Dr. Wagner. This means we can find donors for more than 90 percent and the results are better than previously observed with marrow, making the work tremendously encouraging, adds Dr. Wagner. Thousands more will be able to benefit from this breakthrough research.” The study appears in the June 9, 2007 issue of The Lancet, the world’s largest independent medical journal.

Leukemia is the most common form of childhood cancer in the United States, affecting approximately 3,400 kids, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Nationwide, an estimated 15,000 people are awaiting bone marrow transplants because they can not find a proper tissue match. The results of this study could have profound effects on survival rates, offering incredible hope for the patients and families we serve. 

In our attempt to make cord blood transplantation even better, multiple clinical trials are now available that focus on reducing complications, speeding recovery and reducing the risk of disease recurrence. Doctors, patients and parents interested in learning more about these studies may contact University of Minnesota-Fairview Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at 612-273-2800.