Note: Cryosite ceased collection and storage of new cord blood / cord tissue samples in 2017. However, we are dedicated to maintaining storage for samples collected and processed by Cryosite prior to this time.
A baby’s umbilical cord contains blood and tissue, which are rich sources of therapeutic stem cells.2
Stem cells are special because they can self-renew and differentiate. This means they are able to divide and make exact copies of themselves and develop into other specific cell types, tissues or organs in the body. Cord blood and cord tissue are used as sources of different types of stem cells.
Cord Blood is a source of haematopoietic stem cells (HPC-C). HPC-Cs can produce different types of blood cells which carry oxygen, fight infection and stop bleeding.2,3
Cord Tissue contains a number of cell types, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs can produce many different types of cells including bone, cartilage, muscle.
Stored stem cells in cord blood and cord tissue continue to be a potential source of treatment for many current diseases and an ever-expanding number of future uses.
Today’s exciting uses and tomorrow’s opportunities
Cord blood stem cells include haematopoietic stem cells (HPC-Cs), which are currently used in life-saving cellular therapies to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems. Over 40,000 HPC-C therapies have been carried out using umbilical cord blood over the last 30 years.4
Cord blood stem cell therapies are some of the more established stem cell therapies and may be used to treat over 80 diseases, including immune deficiency, leukaemias, blood diseases, metabolic storage diseases and thalassaemia.2,4
While the potential of stem cell therapy is exciting, it is important to note that current approved uses are limited and future uses are developing in clinical trials.
The Australian Stem Cell Handbook provides useful information to help you determine if the potential uses of stem cell therapy may be beneficial for you.3 The decision to use stem cells should be made with a cellular therapy professional.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be derived from umbilical cord tissue, placental tissue and amniotic fluid.4 However, the process of deriving MSCs from tissue is still under development.5
MSCs have potential in regeneration of bone, cartilage and fat. Research is currently being conducted in bone conditions, heart disease, graft-versus-host disease in donor marrow transplantation, and autoimmune response in diseases such as multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. While the potential of MSCs is exciting, it is important to note that results are variable, current approved uses are limited, and future uses are developing in clinical trials.3 The decision to use stem cells should be made with a cellular therapy professional.
An individual’s stem cells, which were collected from them when they were a newborn, are a 100% match to that individual.
The frozen stem cell sample is a 100% match to the individual from whom the stem cells were collected as a newborn.* These stem cells may provide future treatment options for immediate family members – parents have a partial match and siblings have a potential match.
*Samples may not always be suitable for use.
Insuring for tomorrow’s opportunities
Exciting research is ongoing, with over 1000 clinical trials around the world currently recruiting patients to investigate the further potential of stem cells transplants and future use in regenerative medicine. New technology will also allow development of stored stem cells to the next generation of advanced cell therapies and personalised treatment.4,6
Areas of research include autism, cerebral palsy, Type 1 diabetes and stroke.4,6
Stem Cells Australia has interesting summaries of current Australian Stem Cell Research projects.
Cryosite offers you a professional storage facility which uses leading edge equipment in a safe and secure environment.
Take a virtual tour of our laboratory to view the silver cryogenic tanks where your samples are stored.
You have trusted us to safely store your precious cord blood samples over the years. We will keep your samples safe in continued long-term storage in case you ever need to access them.
References