How new is cord blood collection?

The first cord blood transplant was performed in 1988. Since then, more than 5,000 transplants have taken place.

What are cord blood and stem cells?

Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and in the placenta after it is separated from the newborn following childbirth. Typically, the umbilical cord and placenta (also known as the afterbirth) are discarded after a child is born. The blood found in these organs is rich in a special cell type called stem cells.

What diseases can be treated/cured through the transplantation of stem cells?

Stem cells have the ability to generate all types of blood cells, but they can be used to treat a variety of life-threatening diseases, including leukemia, other cancers, blood and immune disorders. In addition they can be used in genetic diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. As stem cell transplants become routine, they may be used to fight lung cancer, multiple sclerosis, lupus, AIDS and many other genetic diseases.

What is the difference between a stem cell transplant and bone marrow transplant?

Stem cells can be transferred from one person to another through bone marrow transplantation, which is a complex and risky procedure. Cord blood, a richer source of stem cells than bone marrow, eliminates many of the problems associated with bone marrow transplants.

When and how are the cord blood stem cells collected?

The collection process takes place after delivery when the cord has been separated from the newborn infant. In no way does it interfere with the birth of the baby. The collected cord blood is sealed, packaged and delivered to the laboratory for testing and processing. Finally, the sample is cryogenically stored until it needs to be retrieved.

How safe is this for the baby and mother? Will either feel any pain or discomfort?

The first priority is the care and well being of the baby. Stem cell extraction is very safe because the blood is collected after the cord has been separated from the baby. Neither baby nor mother will feel anything since this procedure is only done after the cord has been detached.

If there is a family history of disease, such as leukemia, would it be in the newborn's genes? If so, would stem cell transplantation from the cord blood still be an effective way to treat the disease?

In such cases the stem cells may be kept for the newborn and his/her family members (as a "directed donation") and not become available for unrelated patients.

How many and what tests are done on the blood samples?

Before the blood is stored for later use, it undergoes viral testing, including tests for HIV and hepatitis B and C and tissue typing to determine HLA (human leukocyte antigens) matching.

What Is HLA Matching?

Matching refers to six proteins called human leukocyte antigens (HLA) which appear on the surface of white blood cells and other tissues in the body. These six HLA points, or loci, determine tissue compatibility. Studies have shown that cord blood transplants are successful, even when only three of the six loci match.

What is "graft versus host disease" (GVHD)?

GVHD (graft versus host disease) is one of the most common and life threatening side effects of a stem cell/bone marrow transplant. GVHD occurs when the transplanted stem cells recognize the recipient's body as foreign, and "reject" it. Cord blood transplants have had a noticeable lack of GVHD because the stem cells from the donor do not need to match the recipient as closely as with bone marrow.

How long can the cells be stored and still be usable?

Currently, there is no determined "shelf-life" for cryogenically preserved cord blood cells. To date, the oldest cells required for use in a transplant were 15 years old. There was no loss in cell viability or cell recovery rate.

How is the cord blood processed?

The Blood Services' expert laboratory technicians use specially designed, modern equipment to separate the stem cell layer from the rest of the cord blood unit. It is the highest standard adapted for cord blood processing.

How is the sample preserved and stored?

Once tested, the cord blood unit is cryopreserved in cryoprotected blood bags at -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit). These bags allow for the best cell recovery rates after freezing, thawing and washing, and an even higher cell viability rate. Cord blood units are stored in a liquid nitrogen freezer to guarantee safety of the stored units. The freezers are controlled automatically and carefully monitored.

What is a cord blood registry?

The registry is a computerized list of the stem cell units' available inventory. The importance of a registry is that units can be quickly retrieved 24 hours a day/7 days a week

What is the donation process?

All searches begin with a free preliminary search using the patient's tissue typing and the umbilical cord blood units contained in the Registry. Any doctor may request a preliminary search to find out about available stem cell donors or cord blood units for a patient.

What is the transplant process?

The cord blood is injected into the recipient's vein, similar to a blood transfusion, with the hope it will grow into healthy new bone marrow.