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Background Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a valid alternative to be used in transplanted patients. Limitations of the use of stem cells depends on the small number of cells available; this is the reason why UCB can be used only in very low-weight patients. In this study we have evaluated the efficacy of cellular manipulation before transplant and in particular, before thawing the units through the Rubinstein method. Methods We have evaluated the results obtained after thawing 40 UCB to be used for as many patients affected by several pathologies (21 ALL, 6 AML, 3 MDS, 2 LNH, 2 histiocytosis, 2 β-thalassemia, 1 Chediak-Higashi syndrome, 1 Fanconi anemia, 1 Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and 1 Omenn syndrome). Results After thawing, nucleated cells (NC) mean recovery was 76.81% (SD ± 15.41). The quantity of NC obtained was 124.29 × 107 (SD ± 43.18) and in only 5 cases the number of NC after the procedure was lower than the requested graft dose. Among the last ones, in two cases only we did not achieve the target after manipulation. The post-manipulation cellular viability was 83.48% (SD ± 10.6). For all the units shipment complied with all the necessary procedures; in fact the temperature never rose above −120 °C. Conclusion In our study we highlighted the efficacy of UCB thawing technique, with the same method defined in 1995 at the New York Blood Centre that guarantees an excellent NC recovery and maintains a high level of cell viability.

Background aims: Immunomagnetic CD34 cell selection (ICS) is utilized in autologous and allogeneic transplants. In the fi rst case it is used to reduce the neoplastic contamination of concentrates, while in the second case it is needed to carry out a T-depletion of cell concentrates in order to reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients who have undergone haplo-identical transplants. Methods: The effi cacy of CliniMACS technology, after reduction of platelet contamination, incubation of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and successive washings of concentrates, performed in 16 ICS using the standard method without reducing platelet content, was compared with the use of the automated system CytoMate, which was carried out in 46 ICS. Results: In the group of ICS carried out after automatic manipulation, a signifi cant statistical difference in purity was noted (91.39% versus 83.57, P 0.017) compared with the group of ICS carried out with the standard procedure. The same signifi cant difference was noted in relation to the remaining percentages of CD3 and CD19 cells (2.31% versus 5.68%, P 0.012, and 1.58% versus 2.71%, P 0.014, respectively). Recovery of CD34 cells overlapped in the two groups (70.49% versus 68.39%, P 0.774). Conclusions: Immunomagnetic selection carried out using the automated procedure was more effi cient, producing a purer sample, more effi cient T-depletion and optimal reduction of B cells, without infl uencing cell recovery. Furthermore, conforming to good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines, the entire procedure with CytoMate took place in a contamination-controlled environment.