Abstract
<jats:p>Introduction. Current trends in regenerative medicine require new approaches to replacing or restoring damaged cells and tissues. Currently, umbilical cord blood serum is a promising biological substrate due to its high content of biologically active molecules, namely growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, which regulate the processes of cell proliferation, differentiation, and repair. The aim of this review was to summarize current scientific data on the biological properties, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications of umbilical cord blood serum. Materials and methods. A total of 57 publications from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were analyzed, selected based on relevance, methodological rigor, and alignment with current research directions on the use of cord blood serum (ophthalmology, oncotherapy, neonatology). Results. The article analyzes the results of recent scientific studies on the use of umbilical cord blood serum in the treatment of various diseases, including ophthalmological conditions, cancer therapy, neonatal research, and others. Umbilical cord blood serum is used to treat dry eye syndrome, neurotrophic keratitis, corneal erosions, and corneal burns. Its biologically active components promote epithelialization, reduce inflammation, and restore corneal transparency. Due to its high content of growth factors, cytokines, neurotrophic, and other biologically active molecules, umbilical cord blood serum is considered a potential neuroprotective agent in cases of perinatal hypoxia and ischemic brain injury, particularly in situations where standard neonatal therapy is limited. Recent findings on the use of serum as a potential modulator to stimulate tissue repair after chemotherapy were presented. This review demonstrates that cord blood serum may be considered a promising adjuvant or supportive component in the treatment of prostate cancer and in post-cancer rehabilitation; however, further preclinical and clinical studies are needed. Conclusion. Promising areas for studying the potential applications of serum include cell therapies, burn treatment, and others. Problems related to the general storage of cord blood serum and the use of various combined storage approaches, such as different freezing temperature regimes, cryopreservation, and lyophilization, are discussed separately.</jats:p>