Cord Blood Banking 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which factor most directly determines whether a cord blood unit can be used for an adult patient?
- Donor's ABO blood type
- Total nucleated cell dose per kilogram of recipient body weight (Correct answer)
- Collection method used
- Age of the cord blood unit
Correct answer: Total nucleated cell dose per kilogram of recipient body weight
Adequate TNC dose per kilogram of recipient weight is the primary predictor of engraftment success; adults often need larger units or double-unit transplants.
Question 2: A private cord blood bank closes unexpectedly. Under what protection do stored units typically transfer to another facility?
- FDIC insurance coverage
- Contractual obligations and state escrow laws (Correct answer)
- AABB automatic transfer guarantee
- FDA confiscation authority
Correct answer: Contractual obligations and state escrow laws
Most private banking contracts include transfer provisions, and some states require escrow accounts to fund sample transfer if a bank ceases operations.
Question 3: What is 'HLA typing' in the context of cord blood banking?
- A test measuring cord blood pH levels
- Genetic matching of human leukocyte antigens between donor and recipient (Correct answer)
- A count of red blood cells in the unit
- A measure of cord blood shelf life
Correct answer: Genetic matching of human leukocyte antigens between donor and recipient
HLA typing identifies human leukocyte antigen proteins on cells, allowing banks to match donor units to recipients for compatible transplants.
Question 4: Which cord blood bank accreditation body is recognized specifically in the United States and focuses on hematopoietic progenitor cells?
- ISO 9001
- FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) (Correct answer)
- Joint Commission International
- College of American Pathologists
Correct answer: FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy)
FACT accreditation is the gold standard for hematopoietic progenitor cell programs in the US, covering standards for collection, processing, storage, and administration.
Question 5: Why do most cord blood banks recommend collecting at least 60–80 mL of cord blood?
- To meet FDA volume labeling requirements
- To ensure enough cells for processing, testing, and a viable transplant unit (Correct answer)
- To allow simultaneous public and private banking
- To comply with hospital infection control protocols
Correct answer: To ensure enough cells for processing, testing, and a viable transplant unit
A minimum collection volume of 60–80 mL is needed to yield a sufficient number of stem cells after processing losses and infectious disease testing.
Question 6: A cord blood bank that offers 'lifetime storage guarantee' is making a promise that is legally best supported by:
- FDA licensure of the unit
- A contractual obligation backed by the banking agreement (Correct answer)
- AABB accreditation standards
- State health department certification
Correct answer: A contractual obligation backed by the banking agreement
A 'lifetime' storage guarantee is a contractual promise between the family and the private bank; no federal agency independently guarantees ongoing storage.
Question 7: International cord blood unit searches for unrelated transplants are coordinated through which network?
- World Health Organization
- NMDP/Be The Match and Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW) (Correct answer)
- International Red Cross
- Global Transplant Alliance
Correct answer: NMDP/Be The Match and Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW)
NMDP/Be The Match in the US and BMDW internationally facilitate searches of listed public cord blood inventories for unrelated recipient matching.
Cord Blood Banking 3
Which factor most directly determines whether a cord blood unit can be used for an adult patient?