Razak Abdul, Malhotra Atul
Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Monash Newborn, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Neoreviews. 2025 May 1;26(5):e297-e306. doi: 10.1542/neo.26-5-011.
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has garnered attention as a potentially valuable resource in neonatal medicine. Blood from the cord contains a rich population of stem and progenitor cells, including hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, and endothelial progenitor cells, each offering unique therapeutic potential. Early clinical studies and preclinical trials have suggested that these cells may be able to promote tissue repair, provide neuroprotection, and modulate the immune system, potentially providing promising therapeutic avenues for neonates with limited treatment options. Current research has focused on the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of UCB-based therapies, particularly in neonates with brain injuries, lung diseases, and hematological disorders. Despite positive early results, the field is still evolving, and large-scale clinical trials are underway to further evaluate the potential of UCB-derived cells in neonates. In this review, we examine the diverse roles of UCB-derived cells in potentially treating neonatal diseases such as anemia, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We also discuss future directions for the application of UCB-derived cells in transfusion and regenerative medicine.
脐带血（UCB）作为新生儿医学中一种潜在的宝贵资源已受到关注。脐带血中含有丰富的干细胞和祖细胞群体，包括造血干细胞、间充质基质细胞和内皮祖细胞，每种细胞都具有独特的治疗潜力。早期临床研究和临床前试验表明，这些细胞可能能够促进组织修复、提供神经保护并调节免疫系统，这可能为治疗选择有限的新生儿提供有前景的治疗途径。目前的研究集中在基于脐带血的疗法的安全性、可行性和初步疗效上，特别是在患有脑损伤、肺部疾病和血液系统疾病的新生儿中。尽管早期结果积极，但该领域仍在不断发展，大规模临床试验正在进行中，以进一步评估脐带血来源细胞在新生儿中的潜力。在本综述中，我们研究了脐带血来源细胞在潜在治疗新生儿疾病如贫血、脑室内出血、缺氧缺血性脑病和支气管肺发育不良中的多种作用。我们还讨论了脐带血来源细胞在输血和再生医学中的应用的未来方向。
