Category Archives: Cord Blood

How Could Cord Stem Cells Help Cure Patients with Diabetes?

13

It is said that cord blood stem cell have been successfully used for the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes. Cord blood stem cells used to “reeducate” (as the term used) the immune system T cells of diabetic patients by making their pancreas to start producing insulin again, to reduce the amount of insulin needed to inject. It becomes successful to treat with long-standing diabetics who believed they have no ability to produce insulin anymore.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the own immune system of the body attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This results to body that can’t produce enough insulin and can cause high blood sugar to damage all the organs in the body.

Research shows how scientists developed a procedure called “Stem Cell Educator Therapy” where the blood of the diabetic patient is circulated through a closed loop system that separates lymphocytes (it is a class of immune cell that includes T cells) from the entire blood. Then, co-cultures them with cord blood stem cells from healthy donors that take two up to three hours before returning the “re-educated lymphocytes” to the blood circulation of the patient’s body.

The results show that patients had some residual beta cell function (moderate type 1 diabetes) and the required insulin dose for the patients was down by 38% at the 12th week. Patients who received the Stem Cell Educator Therapy improved levels of C-peptide, a biomaker used to measure how beta cells are working (a protein fragment that is left behind when the insulin is process in the pancreas).

Learning the Differences Between Cord Blood and Cord Tissue

11

The abundance of stem cells and medical use of stem cells are growing, collecting and preserving cord blood and cord tissue are wise enough to invest for family’s future health.

Cord blood stem cells and cord tissue stems cells have different functions. Cord blood is the blood found in the vein of the umbilical cord and placenta at the time of baby’s birth. It is rich in Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) which is the foundation of immune system in our body. It is used for treatment with over 80 diseases namely leukemia, lymphoma, anemia and congenital gene deficiencies.

However, cord tissue stem cells contains Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which develop into structural and connective tissue. It contains unique and powerful stem cells that may help repair and heal the body in different ways than cord blood could do. It is now under investigation for over 40 clinical trials now to see and know its potential on therapeutic applications. It holds the fact that someday it will treat debilitating conditions like heart disease, diabetes, lung cancer, Parkinson’s disease and even injuries to bones and cartilage.

Banking cord blood and cord tissue to safeguard your family’s future health and could help your baby or the whole family the opportunity to take advantage of future medical discoveries.

How Important is the Cord Blood Banking Process?

9

The preserved components of the umbilical cord blood are called stem cells. Stem cells are cells that form all the tissue and organ cells of the body which are used to replace other cells that are abnormal or have been destroyed by diseases.

Through umbilical cord blood banks which are categorized into three namely private, public and direct donation banks are a great help on pursuing this process. Private banks charge initial fee for collection, additional fee for processing plus a yearly maintenance fee to preserve the cord blood for use by the specific donee. On the other hand, public banks don’t charge for collection but don’t reserve the blood collection for the specific donor and donations are available to the general public. Direct donation banks are also free of charge for collecting and accept family-specific donations to reserve for the family.

Banking cord blood form a child could possibly be used for other child’s sibling but with a positive genetic match. Cord blood stem cells treated diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, blood disorders, congenital metabolic disorders and immunodeficiencies. Engaging to this process has low rate of taking risk for transmission of infection and the procedure for both mother and child.

Cord blood once saved usually takes to use quickly or a couple of weeks. The volume of cord blood collection from 50- 100 mL that should provide dose for a child.

Getting To Know More About Cord Blood Registry (CBR)

Cord Blood Registry (CBR) is one of the most leading industry dedicated to technical innovations, gives access to current treatments and stem cell application for unstable condition or with no cure. A cord blood bank that passed the standards of cord blood collection and storage regulations made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Baby's hand

With recent discoveries have shown that the blood in the umbilical cord of a baby contains stem cells that can help treat some conditions, and once removed safely after baby’s birth will be tested to ensure that the required amount is eligible to store in the bank. This is where Cord Bank Registry takes responsibility to store up to ten years and can be retrieve when required for a stem cell treatment.

At this point, CBR has stored over 500,000 cord blood and cord tissue stem cell units and is the leading cord blood bank company recommended by most OB/GYNs and expecting parents. From 3,500 hospitals in over 100 countries, has undergone 17 product upgrades and partnered with institutions to establish FDA-regulated clinical trials, 4 out of 7 clinical trials are still active and recruiting participants.

CBR provides healthcare kit that help increase the collection of cord blood. This CellAdvantage Collection Kit manages a crush-resistant, temperature protected and electronically tracked kit. This kit actively transforms into a cube to encase the blood or tissue collection to ensure its protection and safety. CBR also created an automated and functionally closed stem cell processing technology called AutoExpress Platform.
Cord Blood Registry maintains standards for cellular therapy services through AABB accreditation, FDA-registration, and CLIA certification as well. CBR is found in San Bruno, California and owned 80,000 square foot laboratory located in Tucson, Arizona. It is a registered trademark of Cbr Systems, Inc.

Misconceptions about Cord Blood

There are three common misconceptions about cord blood. The collection of cord takes important blood components away from the baby and mother is the first. This belief remains untrue for the reason that the harvesting procedure of cord blood is easy, painless and guaranteed safe for the mother and her newborn. The umbilical cord is only clamp moments after the baby is delivered. A syringe will be used to get the stem cells inside the umbilical cord. The cord blood stem cells are then stored in a special-made collection bag. This entire collection procedure can either be performed after a vaginal or C-section birth.

A family with no cancer history doesn’t need to store a cord blood is the second misconception. A family history is not a reliable indicator of hereditary disease. The causes of various cancers such as leukemia remain unknown, therefore, the disease can occur without waning. That’s why; storing cord cord is an option every couple can consider. The stem cells in cord has been used to treat life-threatening diseases by way of transplant. The stem cells have the ability to repair damaged tissues and organs.

The cord blood might be useless for a long-term storage is the third misconception. Should a couple gives a go signal to bank a cord blood, the registry assures it is stored in safe facility and will remain useful indefinitely. The couple can anytime reclaim the unit whenever a family member is terribly sick.