NETCORD: a cord blood allocation network.

Several CB-specific prerequisites have to be taken into consideration to deal with the increasing number of stem cell transplants using multiple HLA mismatched umbilical cord blood (CB) specimens. Since CB represents a limited and expensive resource it demands an optimal allocation. Optimal CB allocation can not be optimal based solely on 'first come - first serve' basis, since frequently several CB specimens are simultaneously suitable for more than one patient. Furthermore, the immediate availability of CB gives rise to an above average proportion of urgent search requests for patients who need a transplantation urgently. Thus continuing reservation and release of a CB specimen has considerable influence on the stem cell transplant prospects of other patients. To avoid and/or solve allocation conflicts present in a much higher incidence than in the bone marrow donor setting a global co-ordinated allocation of cord blood specimens is of major advantage for these patients. Therefore, the CB allocation network NETCORD has been founded. Within NETCORD common rules for data representation and logistics were developed to make CB data comparable and interchangeable. The extended need for fast and reliable communication is met by modern communication technology based on Internet standards.