Umbilical Bounty: Cord blood shows value against leukemia
By Nathan Seppa
In two studies comparing treatments for adults with leukemia, scientists find that a transplant of umbilical cord blood offers a viable option for people who don’t have a well-matched bone marrow donor.
Leukemia occurs when marrow cells—the stem cells for blood—become cancerous. Using drugs and radiation, doctors can wipe out nearly all the malignant marrow cells, clearing the way for an infusion of donated marrow that can make new, healthy blood cells. Marrow transplants precisely matched to a patient’s blood characteristics can be remarkably successful.