Umbilical Cord Blood as a source of Stem Cells
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 have successfully treated children and adults.1
- Transplants using cord blood from a family member (e.g., a sibling) are proven to be more successful than transplants using 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
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.