Cord blood is the blood from the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth. It is rich in specialized cells with therapeutic potential. Though typically discarded, it can be collected and preserved for future medical use.
How Cord Blood Treats Disease
Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), cells that develop into all blood cell types. HSCs maintain and regenerate the body’s blood and immune system. When transplanted, they replace diseased or malfunctioning blood-forming cells.
Cord blood stem cells are less mature than adult stem cells. This leads to a lower risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a complication where transplanted cells attack the recipient’s tissues. This characteristic makes cord blood a valuable source for transplantation, especially when a perfectly matched donor is not available.
Cancers and Blood Disorders Treated
Cord blood transplantation treats various cancers and blood disorders. It treats blood cancers like leukemias (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia). Lymphomas (Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s) also benefit. The infused stem cells engraft in the bone marrow and begin producing healthy blood cells.
Cord blood also treats non-malignant blood disorders. Aplastic anemia, a condition of bone marrow failure, can be treated. Thalassemia and sickle cell disease, inherited disorders affecting hemoglobin, are also addressed. Healthy HSCs from cord blood restore normal blood production, offering a potentially curative treatment.
Immune System and Metabolic Conditions Treated
Cord blood transplantation treats immune system deficiencies. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), a genetic disorder causing a severely compromised immune system, is one example. Cord blood stem cells can rebuild a functional immune system in SCID patients, offering a potentially curative therapy. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, a rare genetic immunodeficiency, also benefits from cord blood transplantation.
Inherited metabolic disorders are also treated. Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), an X-linked disorder causing neurological damage, has shown positive outcomes. Hurler syndrome, a lysosomal storage disorder, is another condition where cord blood can correct the underlying genetic defect.
Exploring Regenerative Medicine Applications
Beyond established treatments, researchers explore cord blood’s potential in regenerative medicine. Its stem cell properties are investigated for neurological conditions like cerebral palsy and autism. Clinical trials are examining how cord blood might contribute to tissue repair and reduce inflammation in these conditions.
Cord blood is also researched for heart conditions and type 1 diabetes. Studies determine if cord blood stem cells can regenerate pancreatic islet cells in type 1 diabetes or aid in cardiac tissue repair. These applications are currently in the clinical trial phase and are not yet considered standard treatments.