HLA is a term used to describe protein markers that are found on most of the cells in the body. HLA stands for human leukocyte antigen. When a donor and a patient's HLA markers are closely matched with each other, a transplant has a better chance at working.
When transplant doctors look for a donor to match a patient, they want to find the closest HLA match possible. But different transplant centers accept different levels of patient and donor matching for a bone marrow or cord blood transplant.
To learn the match requirements at a specific transplant center, you can contact that center directly. Information on who to contact at a transplant center can be found in the U.S. transplant center listings.
See HLA Matching: Finding the Best Donor or Cord Blood Unit to learn more about HLA and how transplant centers use it to help select the best available donor or cord blood unit for a patient.
To view the number of potential donors and cord blood units you may have on the Be The Match Registry® operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), see MatchView®. MatchView also includes information to help you understand HLA matching and the next steps in the search and transplant process.