The Belfast Cord Blood Bank

The first cord blood bank in the British Isles was established in Belfast in June 1993. Cord blood (CB) is rich in haematopoietic progenitor cells and has been used successfully as a substitute for bone marrow transplants in over 200 patients world-wide. Most have received CB from a histocompatible sibling, but reports include several unrelated HLA matched transplants. In addition to the cryopreservation of 400 units of donated CB in the Cord Blood Bank, we have stored eight CB collections from siblings of children with leukaemia in Northern Ireland. A pilot study in collaboration with the maternity unit in the Mater Infirmorum Hospital confirmed the feasibility of a CB banking programme and highlighted many issues relating to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). The authors describe experience of collecting 824 units of CB over three years and discuss a few of the wider implications of this innovation in the management of patients requiring myeloablative therapy.