Dr. Giralt on the Potential Utility of Omidubicel in Hematologic Malignancies

Sergio A. Giralt, MD, deputy division head, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Melvin Berlin Family Chair in Multiple Myeloma, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the potential utility of omidubicel in hematologic malignancies.

The results of a randomized phase 3 clinical trial (NCT01597778) demonstrated similar 2-year progression-free survival rates with double unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant vs human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–haploidentical bone marrow transplant in patients with chemotherapy-sensitive lymphoma or acute leukemia in remission.

In recent years, the number of cord blood transplants has decreased likely because the procedure is associated with slow engraftment and high resource utilization, says Giralt. However, during the 47th Annual Meeting of the EBMT, findings from a phase 3 trial of omidubicel, a cryopreserved cellular product derived from a single umbilical cord blood unit and expanded ex vivo, vs standard umbilical cord blood transplant (UBCT) in patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies following myeloablation were presented virtually. The results demonstrated improved CD34-positive cell expansion and quicker time to neutrophil engraftment with omidubicel vs UBCT.

As such, clinical trials could explore cord blood transplant with omidubicel to benefit patients who do not have a related or unrelated donor available, concludes Giralt.