SHANGHAI: A Shanghai hospital has transplanted umbilical cord blood stem cells into a Pakistani patient Tahseen Dilbar, 30. “The procedure was a success, and the cure rate will grow by 60 percent compared to traditional therapies,” said Wang Chun, doctor in charge of Tahseen’s treatment. Wang said Tahseen’s hematopoietic functions would begin again in two weeks after the transplant. The cells were donated by a woman who gave birth to a boy in Shanghai in 2010. Tahseen was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS) in 2010 and has been relying on blood transfusions since then. He came to China in March seeking better treatment. Patients with MDS have problems making new blood cells and a high risk of developing myeloid leukemia, said Wang. The patient has also been given peripheral blood stem cells donated by his brother. According to Wang, cord blood combined with peripheral blood stem cells can reduce the risk of rejection. China has umbilical cord blood stem cell banks in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangdong and other places. Published in Daily Times, April 27th 2018.