Cord Blood Banking Basic 3

Question 1

How long can cord blood be stored in liquid nitrogen and remain viable for transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Decades — potentially indefinitely with proper cryopreservation

Answer

Studies show cord blood stored at -196°C in liquid nitrogen remains viable for transplantation for at least 20–30 years, with no defined expiration.

Question 2

Which type of cord blood transplant generally carries a higher risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)?

Accepted Answer

Allogeneic (unrelated donor unit)

Answer

Unrelated allogeneic cord blood transplants carry higher GvHD risk because of greater HLA mismatch compared to matched related or autologous transplants.

Question 3

What is the primary advantage of cord blood over bone marrow as a stem cell source for transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Greater tolerance of HLA mismatch without increased GvHD severity

Answer

Cord blood T-cells are immunologically naïve, allowing successful transplants with 1–2 HLA mismatches that would be unacceptable with bone marrow.

Question 4

Which informed consent requirement applies when collecting cord blood for a public bank?

Accepted Answer

The mother must provide written informed consent before or during labor

Answer

Written informed consent from the mother must be obtained before cord blood is collected for donation to a public bank, ideally before labor begins.

Question 5

What does HLA matching refer to in cord blood transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Matching human leukocyte antigen markers to reduce immune rejection

Answer

HLA (human leukocyte antigen) matching compares genetic markers on white blood cells to reduce the risk of the immune system rejecting the transplanted cells.

Cord Blood Practice Test

Cord Blood Practice Test

Cord Blood Banking Basic 3