Single laboratory evaluation of umbilical cord blood units processing methodologies for banking

Objective To compare the efficiency of 3 different processing methods (Sepax, AutoXpress [AXP], and manual processing with hydroxyethyl starch [HES] sedimentation) used at Stemlab during a 10-year period. Methods Historical data were compiled and the analytical results obtained for the 3 different methods were compared. Results The manual processing (HES) method yielded the highest level of total nucleated cell recovery after processing, and the AXP system yielded the highest CD34+ cell number. The red blood cell reduction was also significantly higher with the HES method. Also, HES showed comparable results to Toticyte technology for umbilical cord blood (UCB) processing. Conclusion These results show that the HES method is as effective as automated technologies for UCB volume reduction; hence, it is a suitable methodology for private and public UCB banks. The HES method also proved to be superior to Toticyte technology for medical applications, with higher recovery yields of total nucleated cells after thawing and equivalent CD34+ cell recovery and functionality.