There are several different kinds of stem cells found throughout the body; however umbilical cord blood stem cells offer several advantages over other sources. Umbilical cord blood, like bone marrow is a non-controversial and rich source of stem cells, free from political and ethical debate. Stem cells from cord blood are now used to treat over 40 life-threatening diseases. Stem cells from cord blood have successfully treated children and adults.1 Transplants that use cord blood from a family member (e.g., a sibling) are twice as successful as transplants that use cord blood from a non-relative (e.g., from a public bank).2 When a child receives his or her own cord blood, there is no risk of rejection.3 1 Laughlin MJ, et al., NEJM 2004, 351:2265-2275, Takahashi S, Iseki T, et al., BLOOD 2004,104:3813-3819, Rocha V, Labopin M, et al. NEJM 2004; 351:2276-2285. 2 Gluckman, et al., New England Journal of Medicine 1997, pp. 373-381. 3 Rocha V., Wagner J.E., et al., NEJM 2000,342:1846-1854. As with any transplant therapy, therapeutic success depends upon many factors beyond the stem cells themselves including patient condition, type of disease, recipient-donor relationship and matching, and other factors. Although the potential use of umbilical cord blood is expanding rapidly, the odds that a family member without a defined risk will need to use their child’s umbilical cord blood are low. There is no guarantee that the umbilical cord blood will be a match for a family member or will provide a cure. Autologous cord blood stem cells will not guarantee suitable treatment for all inherited genetic diseases. Source: http://www.viacord.com
