Stem Cells can be found in the Umbilical Cord Blood and Umbilical Cord Tissue in their youngest and most potent form. They have great potential to proliferate and support regeneration of different human tissues and are relatively unaffected by diseases and genetic mutations that accumulate throughout a lifetime.
Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells are called Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs).
Umbilical Cord Tissue Stem Cells contain Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs).
Stem Cells are precious because they have the ability to proliferate and develop into different kinds of cells within the human body. These unique processes of SELF-RENEWAL and SPECIALISATION are what builds and maintains our complex organism. Some of these Stem Cells that remain in our body as a “reserve”, play a key role in REGENERATION in the event of damage and natural ageing of tissues.
Nowadays, an estimated 95% of Cord Blood is discarded after birth.
CryoSave believes that the Cord Blood and Cord Tissue should be saved, either in a family bank or made available for public use or research.
Thanks to thoughtful parents and CryoSave’s high quality cryopreservation, several Stem Cells samples have been used to treat children with:
Over 5’400 trials involving Stem Cells with over 600 of these trials using Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells. Clinical trials analyse new medical treatments, checking their safety, efficacy and potentially adverse effects in humans.
There is an increasing number of clinical trials using Mesenchymal Stem Cells. These are used in researching a broader scope of applications, such as treatments of: Nervous system diseases, ‘Graft vs. Host Disease’, orthopaedic injuries and disorders, cardiovascular illnesses, diabetic patients, but also in tissue engineering applications where entire organs and tissues will be produced.
Evidence from recent studies suggests that transplantation of Stem Cells from the Umbilical Cord may be used as treatment for severe perinatal brain damage due to pre-term delivery or birth asphyxia. Transplanted Stem Cells may regenerate damaged neural tissue and central nervous system function. Several clinical trials in children affected by cerebral palsy are ongoing.
Umbilical cord blood is the most important source of blood stem cells and expect that its full potential for treatment of several blood disorders is yet to be revealed. Stem cells will one day provide effective low-cost treatment for diabetes, heart attack, stroke, spinal cord damage and many other health problems.