The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been front and center of everyone’s lives for the past year. Researchers continue to work tirelessly to find a treatment for those who have contracted COVID-19. Newer clinical trials that have emerged are studying the potential of using stem cells from umbilical cord blood and cord tissue to treat respiratory complications associated with COVID-19 infection. The fact that we continue seeing an increase using cord blood and cord tissue stem cells in clinical research trials shows that when collected and saved, can be a valuable resource for therapeutic applications.
Long-Lasting Effects of COVID-19
Researchers continue to learn about COVID-19 and the effect it can have on people. We are especially learning how COVID-19 is causing lung damage by inflicting complications such as pneumonia and, in more severe cases, respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis.
With COVID-19 pneumonia, both lungs fill with fluid and become inflamed, leading to breathing difficulties. People typically recover from pneumonia without lasting damage, but lung damage from COVID-19 can be severe.
The progression of COVID-19 pneumonia can lead to ARDS, which is a form of lung failure. Patients who recover from COVID-19 and ARDS may see lasting pulmonary scarring. Sepsis, which is another COVID-19 complication can cause tissue damage from the spread of infection.
Investigating the Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells
Cord blood stem cells have long been known for their proven therapeutic potential in treating nearly 80 different diseases. In a newer area of science called regenerative medicine, researchers are studying the power cord blood and cord tissue stem cells to facilitate the repair of cells damaged by disease, genetics, injury, or aging by stimulating the body's own repair mechanisms. Cord tissue stem cells, also called Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), prove to be promising due to their ability to respond to inflammation and aid in tissue repair.
Recent Studies
Published results from two recent studies conducted at the Monash Medical Centre and the UHealth System/Jackson Health System explored the use of expanded (grown, cultured) cells from cord blood and cord tissue to treat COVID-19 related pneumonia and ARDS.
Results from the cord tissue study at UHealth System/Jackson Health System demonstrated there were fewer serious adverse events and evidence of improved patient survival and time to recovery in patients with COVID-19 ARDS. Results from the cord blood study at Monash Medical Centre demonstrated the safety of using cord blood to slow COVID-19 pneumonia symptoms.
Though these studies focused on COVID-19 patients, pneumonia and ARDS are not unique to the pandemic. Using cord blood and tissue stem cells in these therapies for COVID-19 may extend to patients experiencing ARDS or pneumonia resulting from any condition. While these findings are preliminary, early results of using COVID-19 to treat these related conditions are positive and could prove beneficial even beyond COVID-19 patients. We hope you found this update interesting and are as encouraged as we are about the vast healing potential of cord blood and cord tissue cells.
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Disclaimer: Banking cord blood does not guarantee that treatment will work, and only a doctor can determine when it can be used. PerkinElmer does not endorse or make recommendations with respect to research, medication, or treatments. All information presented is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
Resources
NIH. Accelerating Biomedical Discovery and Data-Powered Health. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/
John Hopkins Medicine. What is Coronavirus? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/what-coronavirus-does-to-the-lungs
BMC. Umbilical cord blood therapy to prevent progression of COVID-19 related pneumonia: a structured summary of a study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial. https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-020-04387-y
Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for COVID‐19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: A double‐blind, phase 1/2a, randomized controlled trial. https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sctm.20-0472
