Umbilical cord blood processing using Prepacyte-CB increases haematopoietic progenitor cell availability over conventional Hetastarch separation

Background: Currently the most frequently used method for umbilical cord blood separation in many hospitals across the UK and the rest of the world, where small‐to‐medium amounts of samples are processed, is Hetastarch, a mechanical, starch‐based method, which causes red cell agglutination by rouleaux formation. Aim: In this study, a novel method (Prepa‐Cyte‐CB), in comparison with Hetastarch as part of an FDA‐approved clinical study, was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Validation of data included recovery of nucleated and CD34+ cells, red blood cell reduction, colony forming unit potential, flow cytometric analysis and sterility tests. Results: PrepaCyte‐CB, in comparison with Hetastarch offers fast, reliable separation with improved recovery of nucleated cells, 72.03% (±8.48 SD) compared to 58.09% (±20.06 SD), and CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cells, 76% (±19.54 SD) compared to 64.19% (±29.77 SD). PrepaCyte‐CB was also 12‐fold more efficient in removing red blood cells and haemoglobin (P