Cord Blood HLA Matching and Compatibility 2

Question 1

Which HLA loci are considered the MOST critical in cord blood unit selection?

Accepted Answer

HLA-A, B, and DRB1

Answer

HLA-A, B, and DRB1 are the most critical loci for cord blood matching and form the traditional core of the 6/6 matching framework.

Question 2

Which HLA typing method provides the highest resolution and most precise matching data?

Accepted Answer

High-resolution allele-level molecular typing

Answer

High-resolution allele-level molecular (DNA-based) typing provides the most precise HLA matching data and is the current standard for transplant selection.

Question 3

A cord blood unit described as a 5/6 HLA match has a mismatch at which level?

Accepted Answer

One allele at one locus

Answer

A 5/6 match means five of six typed HLA alleles match between donor and recipient, with a mismatch at one allele.

Question 4

What does 'bidirectional HLA typing' evaluate in cord blood transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Assessing mismatches in both the graft-versus-host and host-versus-graft directions

Answer

Bidirectional HLA typing evaluates mismatches in both directions — graft-versus-host (GvHD risk) and host-versus-graft (rejection risk) — to comprehensively assess compatibility.

Question 5

How does a higher total nucleated cell (TNC) dose in a cord blood unit influence acceptable HLA mismatch levels?

Accepted Answer

Higher TNC dose allows greater HLA mismatches to be accepted

Answer

Higher TNC dose can partially compensate for greater HLA mismatch because more cells improve the probability of successful engraftment despite immunological barriers.

Cord Blood Practice Test

Cord Blood Practice Test

Cord Blood HLA Matching and Compatibility 2