InTimeTV Eye on Harvard interview of Dr. Paul Kent ‘AB86 Assistant Professor of Hematology/Oncology at Rush University Medical Center. During the interview we discussed: • What are stem cells? The different types of stem cells? What are the uses for Stem cells? • What is so special about umbilical cord blood stem cells? • What are the uses and limitations of cord blood stem cells? • Why might a family wish to save or wish to donate their baby’s umbilical cord stem cells? • Tell us a little about the history of umbilical stem cells usage. When the first transplant happened, what’s going on now and how often it is now being used? • What are the controversies surrounding banking of umbilical stem cells? • From a professional standpoint who is involved in extracting and banking the umbilical stem cells? Is it the gynecologist? The pediatrician? • What are the formal recommendations about Stem Cell banking by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), the NMDP (national marrow donor program), the European Union, the Canadian government, the COG (childrens oncology group) and the NIH? • How can I be a bone marrow or stem cell donor to save someone else’s life? • Tell us a little about the business aspects of umbilical stem cells. What are these companies all about? How are they run? • Is “direct to consumer advertising” of cord blood banking accurate? Ethical? For the full video go to: mms://68.251.204.5/video/intimetv … Video Rating: 0 / 5
Stem cells are those cells that are capable of transforming into different types of cells that are present in our body. Until recently, bone marrow was the preferred source of obtaining these cells. But breakthroughs in the medical field have given us a new source of these âall important’ cells. This, relatively easy to explore source, is the umbilical cord blood banking. This blood is a major source of stem cells that are capable of turning into full-grown blood cells.
As such umbilical cord blood stem cells can be used in the treatment of many life-threatening diseases like leukemia and Alzheimer’s. These cells are capable of repairing the damaged cells in various parts of the body, even the most sensitive one- the brain. Various immune system related diseases and the diseases pertaining to the metabolic system are also curable in this fashion. Apart from that they also have the potential of regeneration of muscles that get damaged by one disease or the other. Actually, in the category of stem cells, the embryonic stem cells are given preference over umbilical stem cells because the latter are often termed as adult stem cells and hence are not considered much effective.
Now the scientific thought has underwent a sea change as regards the efficacy of umbilical cord blood collection. There is another benefit involved also and that being an end to debate over ethical issues involved in embryonic stem cells. The baby is not at all harmed and there is absolutely no question of âkilling’ of any human life.
Because there is no awareness regarding the umbilical cord blood storage, many a time a person has to use the stem cells obtained from other person. These are not much effective and are often rejected by the recipient body. Only if a person has got his cord blood stored in such blood banks, can he be sure of getting his own stem cells for treatment. There is a need for great understanding and awareness in this regard as this âhot’ area of stem cell research has caught the fancy of some scientists as well as patients in the recent past. The track record of umbilical cord cells is very good as far as the success of the treatment is concerned. It is in no way inferior to that of embryonic stem cells â some specialists say it’s even better. The world medical fraternity is now moving towards this enormous possibility for the benefit of mankind.
We are standing at the threshold of a new and exciting medical era-an era of regeneration, rejuvenation, and renewal in which stems cells will set the stage for healing and in some cases, the restoration of injured, diseased, and debilitated tissues and organ. While stem cell therapy is still in its infancy, the field is rich with promise. The debate over the use of embryonic stem cells and the questionable effectiveness of adult stem cells have led many scientists and clinicians to concentra
Cord blood cells show better chances of matching family membersâ genetic type than stem cells retrieved from bone marrow. Researches have established that parents and siblings both carry 25% more chances of match with the cord blood cells of newborns. Furthermore, importance of therapeutic benefits found in cord blood cells is being strongly felt in treating various malignancies, immune diseases, metabolic disorders. Benefits are still emerging through scientific breakthroughs and are awakening more parents to consider cord blood storage in a cord blood banking facility especially when it is absolutely harmless and painless!
Why Do You Need To Preserve Your Newbornsâ Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells?
Cord blood stem cells in umbilical cord of the placenta are found to be enriched with hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are the progenitor cells which, unlike embryonic stem cells, can develop into any type of human cells. These progenitor cells are capable of forming cells ranging from red blood cells, white blood cells to platelets, therefore, they can be used in treating diseases of immune and blood system. As of now, more than 70 diseases can be treated by the stem cells extracted from the umbilical cord. Some of the diseases are leukemia, Fanconi Anemia, Krabbe disease, etc. By preserving your babyâs cord blood, you are actually saving your child from the dangers of waiting for matching donors during emergencies.
The process of collecting cord blood cells entail no danger and can be done before and after delivery of the placenta. Cord blood collection before the placenta delivered is termed âin uteroâ and after delivery is âex uteroâ. Apart from differences in medical terminology, these two collection methods do not differ in actual process. As the umbilical cord blood cells are collected as soon as the cords are clamped and cut off, risks and pains for both mother and child is considered zero. These two cord blood cell collection processes ensure no risk in caesarean as well as vaginal deliveries.
After collection, the samples are transferred to the cord blood bank labs to be processing and cryopreserving. The blood is tested for diseases like sickle cell anemia, malaria, and AIDS. The cord blood processing steps mainly include separation and removal of the red blood cells. The temperature of the cord blood unit is slowly reduced in order to avoid shock. When the unit containing umbilical stem cells releases its temperature and drops to minus 90 degree Celsius, it is stored in special freezers for cord blood storage. It is interesting to note that the cord blood is collected and preserved in special bags with compartments- around 80% of the stem cells on one side and the remaining 20% on the other. The 80% is kept aside for transplants and the 20% for stem cell expansion (if transplants are required repeatedly)
Today, collection of stem cells is a much talked about issue and widely encouraged. By preserving your babyâs cord blood, you are actually increasing your chances of finding stem cell matches for your family. It is tough in case of African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and people born with multi ethnicity. About 30 to 70 percent people have shown failure in matching bone marrow in cases of serious requirement – cord blood stem cells collection comes to the rescue in such cases.
People are opting for banking cord blood stem cells for future transplantation because they show better chances of matching family membersâ genetic type than stem cells retrieved from bone marrow. Research has established benefits of umbilical cord blood stem cells in treating malignancies, immune diseases, and metabolic disorders. Visit Cord Blood Banking
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