RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Project Narrative Case Western Reserve University with its collaborators at University of Louisville, and University of Minnesota with strong multidisciplinary faculty are conducting studies focused on testing the concept that infusion of C3a primed umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells will enhance their homing and engraftment in the recipient. We have observed in laboratory studies that stem cells treated with C3a demonstrate improved homing and engraftment. If successful, this treatment approach may improve stem cell therapy safety and efficacy. The concept underlying this proposed treatment is innovative. Although prior studies incorporating double cord blood unit cellular strategies have been attempted and are successful to overcome the cell dose barrier to transplant in adult patients, this proposal is unique in the incorporation of C3a priming of hematopoietic stem cells to enhance their homing and engraftment.