How Are Cord Blood Stem Cells Used?
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Physiology
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At birth, up to 100 milliliters of stem cell blood can be retrieved from the umbilical cord and the placenta. When used in transplant, umbilical cord stem cells can promote healing much faster than other cells taken from blood donations. Stems cells can be expanded to make their efficacy even more important. Stem cells can be expanded, or grown in the laboratory, from 10 to a factor of 1,000 and have the ability to become whatever kind of cell is needed in the body. Umbilical cord blood cells in humans are considered pharmaceuticals and require Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to be used in treating disease.
Research
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Research continues on the use of cord blood stem cells for medical treatments. Most successful trials have been on patients who have received transplants. The cord blood, or hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), can help to promote healing and acceptance of the new organs by replicating the necessary blood markers. HSC can help cancer patients fight off the invading cells by quickly replacing the damaged cells. Cells that were destroyed by chemotherapy can be reproduced and help to fight infections. Diseases with no known cures such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, AIDS, genetic disorders and cancer are all thought to be good candidates for stem cell therapy. Researchers believe that stem cell blood can be the key for preventing and healing a wide variety of diseases.
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Future
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As the FDA approvals for stem cell research and use come through, many people are ready to receive treatments from stem cells they've stored. Since the late 1990s, cord blood banks have opened that freeze the umbilical cords of newborns for later use if they become sick. Those same stem cells often can be used for family members with similar gene structures. Initial costs to store cord blood in a private bank can run anywhere from $700 to thousands of dollars. Monthly storage fees can cost more $100 per month. Public blood banks collect cord blood for research and for storage and accept donated cords at no cost. The Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Foundation lists all registered public and private cord blood banks and provides updated information on the status of research and approvals for stem cell use in the United States. It also posts successful treatments that have already taken place utilizing cord stem cells.
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