Scientists have estimated, that considering stem cell therapy developments and rate of illnesses, probability that single human will need a stem cell treatment is 50%. Probability that one average child will need his own stem cell transplantation until he/she is 20 years old is 4 cases out of 10,000 (0,04%). However if we count probability until 70 year of age for it's own stem cells transplantation, it is 1 out of 450 (0.23%). Transplantation using relative stem cell or autologous is 1 out of 220 (0,46%). Source: 1. Dr. F. Leonard Johnson, Oct1998; & Marrow Transplant Newsletter, issue #43, Oct. 98, vol.9 no.3; originally published: FL Johnson, 1997; J Ped Hem Onc 19(3): 183-186. 2. Pasquini, MC, Logan, BR, Verter, F, Horowitz, MM, & Nietfeld, JJ 2005 ASH meeting poster#5260 (download 94 KB) or Abstract published in (2005) 106:1330.
Will cord blood be enough for transplantation depends not only of collected amount of blood. It is very important how many nucleated cells are in one milliliter. Final cord blood evaluation is performed after counting the cells. Usually collected cord blood amount is suitable for full blood system recovery of a child, who weighs about 40 kg. If patient is more heavy, double transplantation can be applied (using two cord blood units). Also there are practices when cord blood is used together with bone marrow stem cells. Today stem cell expansion in vitro is also possible. Minimal nucleated cell count required for cord blood stem cell transplantation is about 2x107/kg, stem cells – 2x105/kg. In vitro expansion technology is created and today there is an on-going clinical trial (USA, Europe and Israel). In regenerative medicine cell count used for therapy is unlimited. For instance you can only need 20 mln cells for diabetes treatment.
Scientists agree that cord blood stem cells stored in -196oC temperature can stay viable for more than 70 years. However cord blood stem cells began it's storage history only in 1992. Scientists are testing their viability accordingly to storage durance. Source: 1. Broxmeyer E. et al. High-efficiency recovery of functional hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells from human cord blood cryopreserved for 15 years. PNAS 2003;10.1073/pnas.0237086100. 2. Spurr E. E. et al. Cryopreserved human haematopoietic stem cells retain engraftment potential after extended (5-14 years) cryostorage. Cryobiology, Vol 44, No. 3/2002, 210-217(8).
Cord blood stem cells can be used for family members only after testing their compatibility. This is determined by testing HLA antigens (human leukocytes antigens) in patient and donor. Statistically probability for matched donor in a family is about 25-50%. Cord blood stem cell have fewer requirements than bone marrow stem cells, therefore donor search, or possibility to find one in a family is bigger.
If cord blood sample is not suitable for storage, sample is utilized. No pre-payments are applied before testing.
First payment for cord blood collection, preparation and testing is payed only if sample is suitable for longterm storage. It take up to 4 weeks for test results. You can choose stem cell storage fee accordinglly to the payment plan (storage for one year, three, five or more in advance). See Prices.
We recommend to collect cord blood in two separate bags in any cases.
Yes, cord blood is collected during C-section.
Cord blood collection procedure is not painful. Neither mother or child feels any discomfort.
In order to evaluate cord blood sample suitability for long-term storage, these tests are applied:
sample volume, sterility (bacteriological testing), cell viability and count tests; mother's blood is tested for viral infections (HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, CMV). If quality of the sample is evaluated as not suitable for storage, sample is utilized.
Cord blood collection is possible. However for cord blood collection cord has to be cut/clamped before the pulsation of the cord blood stops. If you would like to collect cord blood we recommend not to wait until this moment ends. This time is important for cell count. More information you can receive by consulting us.
What is stem cell therapy?