There is a significant need for alternative donors other than full-matched related or unrelated donors for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, especially in the Asia Pacific, where donor registries are smaller, and ethnicities are far more diverse. Both umbilical cord blood (UCB) and haploidentical transplantation can be carried out despite significant human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches between patients and donors and help to meet this need. There are advantages and disadvantages to UCB and haploidentical transplantation, though enhancements in technology continue to improve outcomes in both. Donor selection for these cell sources is dependent on the presence of donor specific anti-HLA antibodies in the recipient's serum, degree and characteristics of donor-recipient HLA mismatches, ABO compatibility. Specific to haploidentical transplantation, additional factors like donor age, sex, donor-recipient CMV serology as well as NK cell alloreactivity are also important.
Keywords: bone marrow; haploidentical; stem cell transplantation; umbilical cord blood.
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