STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC TREATMENTS
What is stem cell?
Stem cells are immature, unspecialized cells in the body that are able to grow into specialized cell types by a process known as “differentiation.” There are two primary sources of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells, the latter of which are found in many organs and tissues in the human body, including the dental pulp contained within teeth. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to grow into any cell type in the body. However, there is great ethical controversy regarding obtaining and using these stem cells for medical research and treatment purposes. Until recently, it was thought that adult stem cells could only turn into cells that were the same as those in the tissues and organs in which they were found. It is now known that adult stem cells taken from one area of the body can be transplanted into another area and grown into a completely different type of tissue. This ability to grow and regenerate tissues is the focus of the emerging field of personalized medicine which uses a patient’s own stem cells for biologically compatible therapies and individually tailored treatments.
How are stem cells being used in medicine?
Stem cell-based therapies are being investigated for the treatment of many conditions, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis, liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and for nerve regeneration following brain or spinal cord injury. Currently, patients are being treated using stem cells for bone fractures, cancer (bone marrow transplants) and spinal fusion surgery.
New stem cell therapies are continually under review, or have already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many other therapies are in various stages of product development. As the number of people affected by degenerative diseases continues to increase, there will be a greater need for new treatment options for the ever-growing aging population. Harvesting and storing stem cells now will ensure their availability in the future when they will be needed most.
SOURCES OF STEM CELLS
- Sources of Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Bone Marrow is the tissue that is found inside our bones. It is a spongy texture and is rich in stem cells. Bone marrow is collected from the iliac crest (hip bone) in the operating room.
- Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) Stem cells are collected from the circulating blood stream using a process called aphaeresis.
- Umbilical Cord Blood The cord of new born babies is rich sources of stem cells Collection Procedure.
What is Stem Cell Transplantation?
Stem Cell Transplantation is an exciting area of medicine. It is a well established treatment for several cancers and diseases of blood since the last few decades.
Process of Transplant – How is it done?
There is no surgery involved in Transplant, for the patient or donor. It is very safe procedure for a donor. Nothing is lost permanently in the body e.g. as in kidney Transplant. Stem cells regenerate in few days. For the same reason there are over 1 crore (10 million) volunteer donors for stem cell transplant in USA.Stem Cells are infused into the patient through a live Blood Transfusion.
CORD BLOOD BANK (STEM CELL BANK)
Stem Cell Banking.
What are stem cells? Stem Cells are the ‘master cells’ of the body. They are unspecialized cells that can become any other type of cells in the body. The different cell types within the body are all derived from such cells- and hence the name. Stem cells are undifferentiated, “blank” cells that do not yet have a specific function and have high capacity of self renewal.
Stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into a variety of cells. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function – such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell or a nerve cell
Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue or organ-specific cells with special functions.
Stems cells are capable of performing three functions
Homing :To travel at the site of tissue damage
Engraftment :To unite with other tissue
Plasticity :Potential to change into other cell.
Embryo (ESC)
- Totipotent
- Controversial
- Extensive research
- No effective Human therapy to date
Bone Marrow (BMSC)
- Pluripotent
- Invasive, Painful, Requires anaesthesia
- Need 6/6 HLA match
Peripheral Blood (PBSC)
- Autologous use
- Mobilization required
- Apherisis (4 to 6 hours)
Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells (UCBSC)
- Pluripotent
- No risk to mother or baby
- Processing well established
- Only 4 to 6 HLA match needed
- Over 4,53,087 transplants for over 75 blood diseases
- 20 year safety history
UCB Stem Cells: During pregnancy, the umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and child. The Umbilical Cord & Placenta, after a child’s birth is traditionally discarded as a bio-medical waste.
The blood which remains in the Umbilical Cord after it has been clamped and cut is a rich source of stem cells & hence, banking of the cord blood allows families to save this valuable resource for potential future medical use.
Umbilical Cord blood Stem Cells, unlike other type of stem cells, is free from political & ethical concerns. Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood (UCB) are cells that can also change into other types of blood cells like Red Blood Cells, Platelets and T-Cells that make up the immune system.
They have potential to treat various diseases such as Cancer, Thalassemia, Sickle cell anemia, Fanconi anemia, etc. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are considered a breakthrough in Regenerative Medicine, as they can into various types of cells including heart, nerve and muscle cells.
- UCBSC is the easiest and a rich source of stem cells which has successfully treated more than 80 life Threatening diseases such as:
Why UCB Stem Cells?
- Thalassemia
- Leukemia
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Lymphoma
- Myelomas
- Immune Deficiency Diseases
UCBSC research also holds promise for the treatment of diseases like
- Stroke
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Cerebral Palsy
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinsons
- HIV
- Muscular Dystrophy
- The cord blood extraction is an easy, safe pain less and non invasive procedure and do not harm the mother or baby.
- Cord blood is found to contain 10 times more stem cells than an equally sized portion of bone marrow.
- Cord blood cells are genetically unique and are a perfect genetic match for the same child and a likely match for siblings & other family members.
- If your family has a history of malignancies, blood disorders or immune deficiency disease, then the likelihood that your baby or his/her siblings need a stem cell transplant over their life time increases. Many view cord blood banking as a form of biological health insurance.
STEM CELL BANKING:
Private Banking is when your baby’s umbilical Cord Blood stem cells are collected, thalassemia, blood cancers like leukemia and various immune deficiencies. processed tested and stored for your family’s future medical needs. The private storage of these stem cells help secure your family medically against various diseases, especially blood disorders like These stem cells today can cure over 80 such life threatening diseases. It is a 100% match for the child whose cord blood stem cells are stored, up to 25% for the sibling and likely match for other family members.