Luminex xMAP technology is an effective strategy for high-definition human leukocyte antigen typing of cord blood units prior to listing.

Introduction: Allele-level donor-recipient match at HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C and HLA-DRB1 loci impacts the outcome after cord blood transplantation for hematologic malignancies and modifies the strategy of donor selection. High definition of both class I and II HLA loci at time of listing is a way to improve the attractiveness of cord blood bank inventories, reducing the time for donor search and procurement and simplifying donor choice, in particular, for patients of non-European heritage.

Methods: In 2014, Luminex xMAP technology was introduced in our laboratory practice and was applied to cord blood units typing.