Dr. Omar Aljitawi, an associate professor of Hematology/Oncology from the Wilmot Cancer Institute recently conducted a small clinical trial using cord blood as cancer therapy.  It was the first human trial of its kind and its findings may lead to a dramatic improvement in how certain forms of cancer are treated.  The research was recently published in the journal Blood.

Scientists have been using cord blood as cancer therapy for well over 20-years.  It is normally used to help the body re-gain the ability to generate healthy blood cells after a patient has received a chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.

Dr. Aljitawi discovered that a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) can be used to make cord blood transplants more effective.  When a patient’s EPO levels are lowered, it helps the newly transplanted stem cells move into the bone marrow, where they help the body produce new blood and immune cells.

Doctors around the world regularly use cord blood as cancer therapy because it is so effective.  Cord blood is less likely to trigger an immune system reaction in the recipient, which means that stem cells that are not a “perfect match” for the recipient can be used.

One of the drawbacks of using cord blood stem cells is that they take longer to make their way to the bone marrow of the recipient and fewer cells survive the transplant.  Scientists have been looking for ways to improve the ability of cord blood stem cells to move within the human body and integrate with the patient’s bone marrow.

Dr. Aljitawi discovered that blocking the EPO-EPO receptor helped the stem cells move quickly through the body and reach the bone marrow in less time.  He tested the approach on 15 patients and confirmed that it worked.

Source: Discovery Improves Use of Umbilical Cord Blood as Cancer Therapy

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