Stem Cell
Insider

The work of Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg and her colleagues at Duke University aims to bring novel cord blood and cord tissue-based cellular therapies to the clinic. Per the license agreement, additional patients will be provided access to cord blood and cord tissue treatments under Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) currently held by Duke at a forthcoming Cryo-Cell stem cell infusion clinic, expected to open in early 2022.

Bone marrow MSCs, adipose tissue MSCs, umbilical cord MSCs and mononuclear cells have long been used in transplantations for a wide array of treatments. Umbilical cord blood and cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are undergoing several clinical trial phases to test the safety and efficacy for use in infusions for patients with low back pain (LBP), intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD), and spinal cord injury (SCI).

Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg was present at the annual Cryo-Cell International conference to deliver news of her latest work on cell expansion technologies and to share success stories of former cord blood transplant patients. 

Sibling-directed donation has been implemented in numerous successful cord blood transplantations, and families should be advised of the many benefits associated with preserving each of their children’s umbilical stem cells. In this article, we will highlight five specific benefits.

Stem cells obtained from cord blood and cord tissue are being utilized in regenerative medicine for a varying host of conditions. The most recent research indicates promising results for the treatment of neurological disorders, immune deficiencies, perinatal brain injuries, as well as degenerative diseases, and skin abnormalities.

For everyone other than pregnant moms, the Zika virus poses only a small risk. It’s a much more serious situation for expecting moms, regardless of which trimester they are in. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. When it comes to preserving cord blood during the time that people are worried  about Zika spreading, Cryo-Cell International has taken  extensive precautions to ensure safe storage of all units.

Stem cells derived from cord tissue are increasingly being utilized in regenerative medicine for a wide range of conditions. The latest research points to the critical importance of storing the cord tissue pieces rather than enzymatic digestion before cryopreservation to maximize the likelihood of use.

The most exciting advance in cord blood banking research is the recent discovery of a molecule, UM171, which can dramatically increase the number of stem cells in a cord blood unit. A phase I study is scheduled for December 2014.

This November, Cryo-Cell is embracing a processing technology that results in a superior stem cell sample by:

1. Depleting more harmful red blood cells
2. Retaining more desirable stem cells

Red blood cell contamination has been shown to cause serious complications in transplant patients, including renal failure and hemolytic transfusion reactions.

At Cryo-Cell, we are continually evaluating ways to improve the quality of our stem cell products to ensure that our specimens are the best in the industry. We have developed a new and improved kit for collection and transportation of cord blood and tissue that provides up to 30 times the protection from extreme temperatures as compared to other kits currently used in the industry. Stem Cells lose viability and functionality when exposed to extreme temperatures.