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Current Cell Expansion Studies

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Current Cell Expansion Studies

The following research groups are examples of the many institutions that have demonstrated the ability to amplify cord blood stem cells. Of all the academic institutions and companies researching new uses for stem cells and cell expansion, there is no telling who will develop the most successful technology. Regardless of where these advancements are developed, they will be equally available to patients who could benefit from the technology.

University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cord blood stem cells were exposed to Delta-1 (an agent that activates proliferation) and consequently expanded 100-fold in culture. The researchers noted that their successes demonstrate the future promise of cell amplification for human transplantation.
Ohishi K, et al. Delta-1 enhances marrow and thymus repopulating ability of human CD34+CD38- cord blood cells. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2002;110:1165-1174.

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
A unique two-step culture of growth factors successfully expanded cord blood stem cells 29-fold. The researchers concluded that these types of expansion techniques will ultimately improve engraftment rates for transplant recipients.
McNiece I, et al. Increased expansion and differentiation of cord blood products using a two-step expansion culture. Experimental Hematology. 2000;28:1181-1186.

Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY
New York University Medical Center, New York, NY
Cord blood stem cells were cultured in a mixture of growth factors and expanded 17- to 18-fold in a period of two weeks. The researchers stated that such cell expansion successes will contribute to improved transplant outcomes.
Moore M, Hoskins I. Ex vivo expansion of cord blood-derived stem cells and progenitors. Blood Cells. 1994;20:468-481.

University of Parma, Italy
University of Minnesota, MN
Thawed cord blood samples that had been cryogenically stored for a minimum of six months were evaluated and compared to fresh cord blood samples. The authors concluded that cryopreservation does not affect the viability or expansion potential of cord blood stem cells.
Almici C, et al. Clonogenic capacity and ex vivo expansion potential of umbilical cord blood progenitor cells are not impaired by cryopreservation. Bone Marrow Transplantation. 1997;19:1079-1084.

IRCC Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Italy
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
University of Parma Medical School, Italy
Scientists designed a culture that would expand stem cells while preserving the longevity of the cells. Cord blood stem cells placed in this culture displayed extensive proliferation compared to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells. Gammaitoni L, et al. Elevated telomerase activity, minimal telomere loss in cord blood long-term cultures with extensive stem cell replication. Blood. Prepublished online January 15, 2004;DOI:10.1182/blood-2003-09-3079.

University of Padua, Italy
Stromal cells (or the cells that support stem cells in our bone marrow) were used to create an expansion culture. The culture induced exceptional expansion of cord blood stem cells, particularly for those cord blood samples that had been cryogenically stored. The researchers believe that stromal cell lines may play a significant role in the future of stem cell expansion.
De Angeli S, et al. New immortalized human stromal cell lines enhancing in vitro expansion of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells. International Journal of Molecular Medicine. 2004;13:363-371.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
University of Florida College of Medicine
Cord blood stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells were placed in a specially designed culture of growth factors. Post-culture analysis revealed that cord blood stem cells expanded 29-fold, and that these expanded cells retained their ability to engraft in mice models. In contrast, peripheral blood stem cells did not proliferate as well in culture and lost their ability to engraft in mice after expansion.
Tanavde V, et al. Human stem-progenitor cells from neonatal cord blood have greater hematopoietic expansion capacity than those from mobilized adult blood. Experimental Hematology. 2002;30:816-823.

Banking cord blood does not guarantee that the cells will provide a cure or be applicable for every situation. For inherited genetic conditions, the child will not be able to use his or her own stem cells. A matched sibling's stem cells would be the first choice. Ultimate use will be determined by the treating physician. Treatment for brain injury and juvenile diabetes is experimental and currently requires the use of your own cord blood. Medical treatments using family banked cord tissue are in early research and are not available today; there is no guarantee that therapies will be developed in the future.
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