Many parents who bank their baby's cord blood wonder, "Will these stem cells still be good years down the road?" After all, cord blood banking is an investment in your family’s future health. We're happy to report another long-term storage study suggests - yes!
A recent study published in Stem Cell Translational Medicine (Sep 2023) found cryopreserving cord blood stem cells for extended periods (27 years in this case!) doesn't affect their ability to function effectively. This adds to a growing body of research demonstrating the value of cord blood banking.
KEY TAKEAWAYS . . .
- Frozen Stem Cells Are Still Active: The study showed the stem cells remained alive, healthy, and capable of creating new blood cells – crucial for transplants treating various blood diseases.
- Freezing Doesn't Harm Their Power: The frozen stem cells performed just as well as fresh or recently frozen ones. They multiplied well and engrafted successfully in mice used for transplant experiments.
- New Possibilities on the Horizon: Researchers are exploring using genetic analysis to identify the most effective stem cells, regardless of how long they've been frozen.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
- Your Investment is Secure: Those stem cells you banked are a valuable resource, and this research confirms they'll likely continue to be for many years to come.
- Future Options: As science uncovers more uses for cord blood, including regenerative medicine, having healthy stem cells banked expands potential treatment options down the line.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your family has access to a potential health resource is a great feeling.
SIMILAR STUDIES
Long-Term Stability of Dus Cord Blood Units After >29 Years of Cryopreservation
High Integrity and Fidelity of Long-Term Cryopreserved Umbilical Cord Blood for Transplantation
If you've banked your baby's cord blood, this is excellent news! These long-term storage studies reinforces that cord blood banking remains a valuable option for families.
