Frequently Asked Questions

Stem cells from cord blood are the “building blocks” of our blood and immune systems. They are capable of self-renewal and regeneration and have the amazing ability to repair and rebuild damaged tissue within the body.

80 diseases and conditions are routinely being treated with HSC cord blood stem cells, including leukemia, lymphoma, various anemias and more.

No. After more than three decades and greater than 40,000 cord blood transplants, the use of HSC cord blood stem cells is considered standard therapy in the treatment of more than 80 diseases and conditions.

Stem cell products are regulated by FDA, and, generally, all stem cell products require FDA approval. Currently, the only stem cell products that are FDA-approved for use in the United States consist of blood-forming stem cells (also known as hematopoietic progenitor cells) that are derived from umbilical cord blood.

Cord blood stem cells are distinctively different from embryonic stem cells. Cord blood stem cells are collected from the umbilical cord after the baby is born, and if not saved are discarded as medical waste. There are no ethical oppositions to the use of cord blood stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a process that inhibits the life of the embryo, which make them highly controversial.

Cord blood-derived stem cells are collected after delivery from umbilical cords and placentas of full-term babies. These cells are a source of blood cell-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells with the potential to treat patients with life threatening blood disorders.

Cord blood and cord tissue yield two vastly different types of stem cells that can potentially be used to treat different diseases and conditions within the body.

Cord blood stem cells are called Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs). The primary focus in research with HSCs has been on blood and immune system disorders.

The stem cells derived from cord tissue are called Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Researchers have focused their efforts on connective tissue disorders and regenerative medicine with this kind of stem cell

HSC Cord blood is an FDA-approved treatment for nearly 80 diseases including numerous types of malignancies, anemias, inherited metabolic disorders and deficiencies of the immune system. It has saved thousands of lives around the world through more than 40,000 transplantations.

Why is umbilical cord blood much better for treating these diseases?

Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord after birth. It contains stem cells. These cells have the amazing ability to grow into many different kinds of cells, like bone marrow cells, blood cells, or brain cells. This can make them valuable for treating some diseases.

Examples of diseases currently being treated with HSC cord blood: 

  • Leukemia, Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, Retinoblastoma, Solid tumors.
  • Blood Disorders. …
  • Other Diseases.

Umbilical cord blood is most typically used in unrelated hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with disorders affecting the hematopoietic system such as leukemia, lymphoma and immune system disorders. In addition, researchers explore usage of cord blood-derived cells as regenerative cell therapies to address unmet medical needs in preventing or diminishing degenerative diseases.

Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Umbilical cord blood is recovered from consenting mothers (donors), who deliver live-birth C-sections within a sterile operating room. Cord blood is collected at the time of birth via venipuncture of the umbilical vein and maintains sterility throughout the recovery process. All donors are screened and tested to ensure they meet the established FDA requirements for donating their post-natal birth tissue. An evaluation, performed by the manufacturer’s medical director, is performed to ensure there are no risks related to the donated birth tissue. The assessment includes a review of the donor’s medical history, health status, and personal behavior. A physical evaluation of the donor is also performed before delivery to ensure the mother is in good health. All donors are tested for infectious disease, as required by the FDA, including: HIV, HTLV, Hep B, Hep C, Syphilis, CMV, West Nile Virus, and Lyme disease. All post-natal birth tissue donations are identified with a unique donor identification number to ensure it can be tracked from the recovery / collection process and linked to the finished product for tracing, including storage and distribution.

The field of stem cell therapy is growing rapidly, and the future potential is unlimited. Current studies are evaluating the effects of using cord blood stem cells to treat diabetes, cerebral palsy, autism, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and more. Scientists are also using cord blood stem cells to stimulate lung development in premature babies.