When we think of medical miracles, we often imagine the future. But with cord blood banking and stem cell therapies, that future is already here. What was once discarded as medical waste (a baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells) is now increasingly cryopreserved as a potential lifesaving treatment option to treat some of the most serious diseases around the globe.
With over 80 diseases currently treatable with stem cells and many more still under clinical trials, cord blood banking is one of the most forward-looking choices parents-to-be can make.
In this blog, we’ll cover a few common diseases that are currently being treated using cord blood stem cells. Keep reading!
Cancers of the Blood and Bone Marrow
For cancer that affects the blood or lymphatic system, cord blood stem cell transplantation is one of the best-known treatment choices. These cancers impair the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells. Using cord blood stem cells offers a way to eliminate the diseased marrow from the patient’s body and replace it with healthy stem cells that can make new blood cells. 1
Some examples of cancers for which cord blood has been used include: 1 2
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Leukemias: Cord blood is used to treat both acute and chronic forms of leukemia. It has been used to treat ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) and AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia).
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Lymphomas: Cord blood stem cells can help restore the immune system following aggressive chemotherapy, which destroys immune cells. This is especially important for patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): Myelodysplastic syndromes are often referred to as “pre-leukemia.” In these conditions, the body produces poorly formed blood cells that do not function properly. Cord blood stem cell transplantation is a commonly used treatment option for patients diagnosed with MDS.
Blood Disorders
Certain genetic and acquired blood disorders make it impossible for the blood to successfully carry oxygen or even clot effectively. These disorders could be:2 3.
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Sickle Cell Disease: Children with sickle cell disease produce abnormally shaped red blood cells, which can cause severe pain and other complications. Cord blood stem cell transplantation can replace the patient’s defective blood-forming cells with healthy ones that produce normal red blood cells.
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Thalassemias: Patients with beta-thalassemia major (Cooley’s anemia), who require lifelong blood transfusions, may achieve a permanent cure through stem cell transplantation.
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Aplastic Anemia: In aplastic anemia (including Fanconi anemia or acquired forms), the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells. Umbilical cord blood stem cells can repopulate the bone marrow, creating a healthy, functioning blood supply.
Immune System Disorders
When a child is born with a compromised immune system, the world could be a dangerous place for them. Cord blood stem cells can provide a brand-new immune “defense force” for those suffering from conditions like:2
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Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID): Infants with SCID are considered “bubble children” because they have no immune protection whatsoever. An umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant is a standard, life-saving procedure, allowing these children to lead normal lives.
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Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome: This rare genetic disorder affects both immune function and blood clotting. can be successfully treated using allogeneic (donor) cord blood stem cells.
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Phagocyte Disorders: Conditions such as Chronic Granulomatous Disease, where the body’s white blood cells cannot effectively fight bacteria or fungi, are routinely managed with stem cell transplantation.
Inherited Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic disorders result when the body lacks specific enzymes to break down certain substances. If these substances accumulate, they can become toxic and cause irreversible damage to the brain and other organs. Some examples of metabolic disorders are:2
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Lysosomal Storage Diseases: Two examples of lysosomal storage disorders are Hurler Syndrome (MPS-IH) and Hunter Syndrome (MPS-II). Cord blood stem cells are particularly effective in these disorders because they can migrate to multiple organs, including the brain, and produce the essential enzymes that patients lack.
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Leukodystrophies: Diseases like Krabbe Disease and Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) primarily affect myelin – the insulating layer surrounding nerves. If diagnosed early, cord blood transplantation can help halt or slow the physical decline associated with these otherwise fatal metabolic disorders.
Summing Up
These are just a few of the many diseases that can be treated using cord blood stem cells. And the treatment can be availed not just by the baby but their entire family, including siblings, parents, and grandparents.
So if you’re expecting, opting for cord blood stem cell preservation with a reputable stem cell bank would be wise. LifeCell Stem Cell Banking, one of India’s largest and most accredited stem cell banks, offers flexible storage plans and long-term protection for your baby and family, up to 75 years.
