Abstract 11: Multicomponent Cord Blood Bank Program, Beyond Transplantation

Abstract Introduction In current public cord blood (CB) banking, many of the collected units are considered not suitable for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) due to their low stem cell counts. New clinical applications are foreseen like specialized hemotherapy shown in the setting of wound healing (Samarkanova, 2020) or neonatal transfusion (Teofili, 2023). In this regard, CB platelet concentrates (PRP), platelet poor plasma (PPP) and red blood cells (RBC) have been used but no standard procedures for their fractionation in a single processing have been well defined. Objectives The aim of this study is to validate a processing method for obtaining all blood components in a way for a new model, the multicomponent CB banking, to expand the use of CB beyond transplantation. Methods A protocol for multicomponent CB fractionation, using commercially available, closed system was adapted at Barcelona CBB. After double centrifugation, the whole CB, is separated into three fractions: PRP, PPP and RBC. Then, CB-RBC is further diluted with saline-adenine-glucose (SAG) mannitol solution (2:1 rate) and leuco-reduced using a specific filter. Storage condition for CB-PRP and CB-PPP is -65ºC up to 3 years and for CB- RBC at 2-6°C during 14 days. For validation, quality control testing was done, using a blood analyzer for platelet and RBC counts. Additionally, for CB-RBC additional parameters like potassium and hemolysis were assessed following EDQM guidelines. Results Ten samples underwent validation protocol achieving acceptance criteria defined. Results of validation are summarized in Table 1 Discussion CB units can be fractionated into three clinical-grade blood components using a single processing method within CB bank. In addition for CB-RBC, stability was established during two weeks on refrigerated storage. The platelet/plasma fractions are being used for topical applications as eye drops for severe ocular surface pathologies or as gels for chronic cutaneous ulcers with positive results (Samarkanova et al. 2020, 2021). Our study group is currently conducting a clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of CB-RBC transfusion in very preterm infants (NCT05612919). The Multicomponent CBB is feasible and might be a useful way to expand CB applications beyond transplantation, maximizing the use of all donations.