FAQ

What are the advantages of stem cells?

While stem cells are found in bone marrow, where they continue to generate new blood cells throughout our lives, they are also present in the peripheral blood, cord blood as well as in the embryos. Stem cells or progenitor cells can generate into other differentiated cell types and are the fundamental building blocks for all tissues in the body. They can develop into blood, bone, muscle, brain, skin and all other organs. Most tissues in our body contain unique stem cells that renew and replace that tissue when necessary due to normal turnover as well as due to damages caused by treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

 What is cord blood?

Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord immediately following the birth of a baby. It contains a rich concentration of stem cells which have the potential to generate other differentiated cell types, and are the building blocks for all tissues in the body. Cord blood provides an alternative source of stem cells in many situations where bone marrow or peripheral blood is used.

 Why are cord blood stem cells unique?

Higher likelihood of a useful match between siblings; Higher rates of survival and significantly less Graft Versus Host Disease compared to unrelated donors; Cord blood stem cells are unique in that they are actually immunologically immature or "naïve" cells and therefore can sometimes be used without the need to be fully matched; Cord blood stem cells have the potential for regenerative medicine and gene therapy in the future. Finally cord blood contains 8-10 times more stem cells as compared to adult bone marrow. Additionally, the collection of cord blood is a quick, non-invasive and painless procedure with no risk to the mother or the newborn. More important, however, using a family member's stored stem cells gives the patient a higher probability of finding an exact or acceptable match for their transplantation options, thus minimizing the risks of rejection. An additional benefit is that cord blood stem cells have approximately a 50% chance of being able to be used for a sibling.

 Should I save cord blood for all of my children?

Yes, since the blood can be used in around 50% of the cases for siblings, it is important to store cord blood for each baby. Saving cord blood for your children provides related sources of stem cells for potential use and increases the likelihood of a useful match for other siblings. Each child's cord blood is banked separately even in the case of identical twins. Cord blood collection could also be used as a form of "bio-insurance" against future illnesses requiring stem cell replacement.

 Is cord blood banking worthwhile?

Some families feel it is too speculative or cost prohibitive while others see it as a nominal cost for peace of mind in the form of "bio-insurance". However you can decide what is best for your family. Cord blood stem cells may literally be lifesaving to your child or family member. Likewise, there is no guarantee that the cells will ever be used.

 Who can use the cord blood?

The newborn is a perfect genetic match and may be able to use the cord blood. Cord blood transplants have occurred for the newborn's sibling, mother, father and cousins. The chances of using the cord blood diminishes as the relationship becomes further apart.

 What diseases can be treated with stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood?

Cord blood stem cells have been used in the treatment of more than 45 diseases including genetic diseases, immune system disorders and certain cancers such as leukemias and Non-Hodgkin's disease.

 How long can the cells be stored?

In theory, there is no limit as to how long they can be stored. The current data indicates that stem cells stored for 15 years can still be successfully used for transplantation. The New York State Health Department guidelines for cord blood banking states that cord blood stem cells can be stored indefinitely in liquid nitrogen.

 How may stem cells be useful in future therapies?

Stem cells are currently used to restore the patient's blood and immune system after treatment for a variety of cancers and diseases, and may offer great potential in the future. Recent discoveries in "tissue engineering" suggest that stem cells can be turned into bone, brain, skin and other cell types, paving the way for new therapies; and be able to repair other types of damage from events like strokes and heart attack. Scientists believe it may be possible to grow insulin-producing cells to cure some forms of diabetes, or to regenerate nerve cells that may restore functions for patients paralyzed by spinal injury.

 What kind of stem cells are in cord blood?

Umbilical cord blood is rich in neonatal stem cells. These "precursor" cells are pluripotent and are capable of differentiating or reproducing into other cells types, such as hematopoietic cells, mesenchymal cells and neural cells.

 Why store cord blood?

Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells. This source is readily available, easy to collect and is free from moral and ethical concerns. Stem cells from cord blood have been used in more than 3,000 transplantation procedures in the treatment of over 45 life threatening diseases worldwide. In the near future this list of treatable diseases would continue to grow. Parents choose to preserve umbilical cord blood for many reasons. They may have an immediate family member who requires a stem cell transplant and their baby's cord blood may offer the hope that it may be used for treatment of the disease. Parents may decide to store cord blood because of their family medical history which may have an increased risk of a particular disease. Finally, some parents decide to preserve their child's cord blood as a form of "bio-insurance", should it ever be needed as a stem cell source for the child from which it was obtained or another family member.

 Is the procedure for collecting cord blood safe?

Yes, the procedure for collecting cord blood is painless and poses no threat to the baby or the mother. Additionally, the collection of cord blood does not interfere with the delivery process. Following standard post-delivery care, the blood remaining in the umbilical cord is collected into a sterile, specially designed cord blood collection bag through a 12G needle via gravity flow. The procedure usually takes 2-6 minutes.

 How is cord blood stored?

In the laboratory, the cord blood undergoes a volume reduction process. The stem cell enriched cord blood is then combined with a cryoprotectant (DMSO), formulated to protect the cells from damage during the freezing and subsequent thawing cycles, and frozen through a controlled-rate freezer. The frozen cord blood is then cryopreserved in a cryo-storage container in liquid nitrogen phase. Cryopreservation is frozen-state storage of biological materials at extremely cold temperatures. Cord blood cells remain frozen at -196 degrees Celcius until needed.