The Impact of Cryopreservation-Thawing Conditions on Umbilical Cord Blood Quality and Transplantation Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cord blood units (CBUs) go through the cryopreservation-thawing process for storage before use in transplantation. The differences in the cryopreservation-thawing process affect the quality of CBUs. The effects of the cryopreservation-thawing process on the final outcomes of CBU transplantation has not been defined well. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of differences in the cryopreservation-thawing process on the quality of CBUs and the final clinical outcomes of transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The differences in cryopreservation-thawing conditions were analyzed to determine their effect on the quality and clinical outcomes of transplanted CBUs. CBUs were detected using the same reagents, instruments and methods for minimizing experimental errors. RESULTS: The differences in the cryopreservation-thawing process did not change cell survival, TNCC recovery (CD34+ and CFUs), the implantation rates and recovery time of neutrophils/100-day platelets. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that the differences in the cryopreservation-thawing conditions do not influence the quality and transplantation outcomes of CBUs.