Why Bank Stem Cells?
Banking Cord Blood Stem Cells
Since cord blood has an abundance of stem cells, they can easily be collected and banked (cryopreserved) in case they are needed later in life. Stem cell treatments and transplants have already been used for a wide range of diseases and conditions, such as cancers (including lymphoma and leukemia) and inherited metabolic disorders. Banking stem cells holds great promise based on research for future uses of stem cells, such as the treatment of diabetes, Alzheimer’s and cerebral palsy. Often, matched stem cells necessary for transplants are difficult to obtain through public cord blood banks; however, banked stem cells taken from your newborn’s umbilical cord blood are a perfect match for your baby for a lifetime. In addition, stem cell technologies are evolving, which is likely to increase the utilization to bank stem cells in the future.
Statistics show that there is a greater chance for success in a stem cell transplant between siblings than with unrelated donors and recipients. There is also a reduced likelihood of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD), which is a major complication of stem cell transplants. If you are planning on having additional children, we strongly suggest you consider this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bank stem cells.
Bank Cord Tissue Stem Cells
Cord tissue stem cells are termed mesenchymal stem cells, which have the capability to differentiate into bone cells, fat cells and cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cells from several different tissues are being tested in clinical trials for efficacy. Banking stem cells from cord tissue now, may offer many potential future medical uses.
Banking Menstrual Blood Stem Cells
Menstrual stem cells are multipotent because they can differentiate into at least five known cell types. In addition, the stem cells in menstrual blood are highly proliferative – replicating every 24-36 hours. To date, these stem cells have been subcultured up to 47 times; umbilical cord blood stem cells subculture generally a maximum of 12 times.
It is important to note that menstrual stem cells retain embryonic stem cell markers, giving them the remarkable potential to morph into many different healthy cell types. The unique properties of these cells demonstrate the exciting possibilities they offer in future therapeutic applications. Currently, they are being studied to treat stroke, heart disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic wounds in pre-clinical and clinical models. By banking your menstrual stem cells now, you are giving yourself the opportunity to benefit from many possible break-through therapeutic applications.
Research has shown that hematopoietic or blood-derived stem cells collected from a younger donor exhibit a higher specific immune system function than from an older donor.
[1][2] One study, performed by Dr. Weissman from Stanford University, examined human aging in blood stem cells. His data demonstrated that in the human blood derived stem cell system it is better to collect cells from a younger healthy donor. Therefore, Cryo-Cell recommends that you bank your menstrual stem cells now.
1Pang WW, Price EA, Sahoo D, Beerman I, Maloney WJ, Rossi DJ, Schrier4SL, Weissman IL. Human bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells are increased in frequency and myeloid-biased with age. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2011 Dec 13;108(50):20112-7. Epub 2011 Nov 28.
2Beerman I, Bhattacharya D, Zandi S, Sigvardsson M, Weissman IL, Bryder D, Rossi DJ. Functionally distinct hematopoietic stem cells modulate hematopoietic lineage potential during aging by a mechanism of clonal expansion. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010 Mar 23;107(12):5465-70. Epub 2010 Mar 18.
Cryo-Cell’s umbilical cord tissue service provides expectant families with the opportunity to cryogenically store their newborn’s umbilical cord tissue cells contained within substantially intact cord tissue. Should umbilical cord tissue cells be considered for potential utilization in a future therapeutic application, further laboratory processing will be required.
In regards to umbilical cord tissue/menstrual stem cells, Cryo-Cell’s activities for New York State residents are limited to collection, processing, and long-term storage of umbilical cord tissue/menstrual stem cells. Cryo-Cell’s possession of a New York State license for such collection, processing and long-term storage does not indicate approval or endorsement of possible future uses or future suitability of these cells.