Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of unrelated donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (URD-HSCT) combined with umbilical cord blood infusion in the treatment of malignant hematological diseases.Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with malignant hematological diseases who received unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with umbilical cord blood infusion were retrospectively summarized.Results After treatment, the median times for neutrophil engraftment were 11 days (11–15 days), and 13 days (12–22 days) for platelets engraftment. Four patients (36%) developed grade II–IV acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD), which mainly affected gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and the liver. One patient (9%) had grade IV aGVHD affecting gastrointestinal tract. Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) occurred in three patients (27%), mainly affecting the skin and liver. The median follow-up time was 26 months (6–50 months). The 3-year overall survival (OS) and GVHD relapse-free survival rates were 80.8% and 60.6%, respectively. None of the 11 patients experienced a relapse by the end of the observation.Conclusion Despite the small number of cases, our data show that URD-HSCT in combination with unrelated cord blood transfusion is a safe and effective therapy for patients with intermediate- to high-risk malignant hematological diseases.
