Exploring the benefits of stem cells in cord blood

The ability to collect and store the stem cells from the umbilical cord blood when a baby is born is an exciting option for expecting parents, made possible by discoveries and advancements over the last several decades.¹ This biological resource has proven to be a valuable tool in treating a wide range of medical conditions.² By banking a baby’s cord blood with an experienced organization like Cord Blood Registry (CBR®), families not only have a possible treatment option for the child but potentially invest in their family's future health.

What are cord blood stem cells?

Cord blood is the blood found in your baby’s umbilical cord. It contains a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells, which are the building blocks of the blood and immune system. These stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into various types of cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This characteristic makes cord blood stem cells potentially valuable for medical treatments, particularly in the fields of hematology and oncology.³

One benefit of cord blood stem cells is that they may have a lower risk of certain transplant complications like chronic graft versus host disease as compared to stem cells from adult sources.³ Additionally, cord blood has more flexible genetic matching compared to donor stem cells from adult sources, which is a benefit when identifying a suitable donor source for a transplant.⁴

The top 4 current and future potential uses of cord blood being researched

Stem cell therapies have come a long way over the past few decades, with cord blood being used to treat a variety of diseases and disorders. The top four current and potential uses of cord blood are:

• Blood disorders and cancers: Cord blood stem cells have been used for decades in the treatment of blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.³

• Immune system disorders: Certain immune system diseases, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), can be treated with cord blood stem cells via transplant medicine.⁵ These stem cells can help regenerate a patient’s immune system, offering a potentially life-saving solution for those suffering from immune deficiencies.

• Potential to treat neurological conditions: Research is advancing in the field of regenerative medicine, where the goal is to repair or regenerate damaged tissues and organs. While still in research, cord blood may be used in new approaches for cellular therapy treatments in the future.⁶ For example, Duke University has performed a number of studies evaluating the use of newborn stem cells as a potential treatment for acquired neurological conditions like cerebral palsy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.⁷

• Other potential in regenerative medicine: Cord blood has been evaluated in regenerative medicine for other conditions such as hypoplastic left heart, type 1 diabetes, and spinal cord injury.⁸ In fact, over 500 clinical trials have been initiated to study cord blood and tissue in regenerative medicine.⁹

Why choose CBR for your baby’s cord blood banking?

Choosing cord blood banking for your baby is an incredible opportunity to potentially protect your family’s future health. Choosing a reputable bank like Cord Blood Registry (CBR) offers several significant benefits:

• Proven track record and experience: CBR is the world's largest and most experienced private newborn stem cell company, with more than 1 million cord blood and tissue units stored.¹⁰ Our experience and commitment to quality are very thorough, helping ensure that your baby’s stem cells will be stored safely and securely for potential future use.

• FDA-registered and AABB-accredited: CBR operates under strict guidelines and regulations. We are both FDA-registered and AABB-accredited, meaning that our processes and storage conditions meet the highest standards in the industry. This helps ensure that your child’s cord blood will be safely stored and accessible if requested for treatment.¹⁰

• High-quality processing and storage: CBR uses the AXP^® II for processing cord blood, which is a functionally closed, automated processing method. Having a functionally closed processing method reduces the risk of contamination and automation helps to maintain consistency.¹¹ The cord blood is cryogenically frozen and stored in long-term, liquid nitrogen storage tanks.

The potential peace of mind of knowing you’re prepared

For many families, the decision to bank cord blood provides a sense of peace of mind. If the child or an immediate family member were to face a medical challenge that is potentially treatable with stem cells, having stem cells stored can have a significant impact. Cord blood stem cells offer the potential for life-saving therapies in transplant medicine and possibly,¹² additional regenerative medicine treatments in the future.¹³

In summary, cord blood stem cells are a potentially powerful resource that can be used in established treatments today and potentially have additional applications in the future. Banking with an experienced company like Cord Blood Registry helps ensure that you’re not just preparing for the potential health needs of today, but you're potentially investing in the health and well-being of your family’s future.

The decision to bank your baby’s cord blood is a simple step with the potential for profound benefits in the years to come. With advancements in stem cell therapy, the options for your family’s health may continue to expand, offering potential hope and healing.¹⁴