A case of donor cell-derived acute leukemia occurred following umbilical cord blood transplantation

02-26-2007

According to a recent report from the United States, "Donor cell leukemia is a rare complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A 12-month-old boy underwent unrelated donor umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) for refractory Langerhan's cell histiocytosis. Forty months after transplantation, he developed acute myeloid leukemia.

"Cytogenetic and molecular analysis confirmed donor cell origin. The Cord Blood Bank (CBB) contacted the donor's family and established that the child, now 7 years old, was healthy," the authors said.

"This represents the first reported case of donor cell leukemia following UCBT," wrote C.J. Fraser and colleagues at the University of Minnesota.

Investigators concluded, "This case illustrates that donor cell leukemia is a rare but real event after UCBT as with other stem cell sources and highlights the need for CBBs to maintain linkage data between donors and recipients."

Fraser and colleagues published their study in Blood (First report of donor cell-derived acute leukemia as a complication of umbilical cord blood transplantation. Blood, 2005;106(13):4377-4380).

For additional information, contact C.J. Fraser, University of Minnesota, Dept. Pediatrics, Pediatrics Blood & Marrow Transplant Program, Division Hematology Oncology & Blood & Marrow Transplantation, 420 Delaware St. SE, Mayo Mail Code 484, Rm D-557, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.

This article was prepared by Healthcare Finance, Tax & Law Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Healthcare Finance, Tax & Law Week via NewsRx.com.