Cord blood stem cell therapy

1. Cord blood stem cell therapy: Which Diseases Can Be Treated? Most Effectively Blood that remains in the umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells after birth and can be used for stem cell treatment. Traditionally, stem cells have been retrieved from bone marrow of donors. But researchers found that cord blood is an excellent alternative source which can be collected, stored and preserved for at least twenty years. During this period, the stem cells can be used for either stem cell therapy or research purpose. As we all know, cord blood is utilized for the treatment of many ailments, like leukemia, sickle cell anemia and so on. However, some diseases show greater chances of improvement by stem cell therapy. Let us get to know about some of the primary diseases which can be treated with umbilical cord blood stem cell. Hodgkin lymphoma Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the two common types of cancers of the lymphatic system in which cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and may spread beyond it. Stem cell transplantation is an ideal therapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients with cancer that relapse. High dose chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells which are followed by stem cell therapy. The stem cells, after entering the bloodstream, travel to bone marrow and start producing healthy new blood cell in the process known as engraftment. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a type of cancer in which bone marrow makes a large number of immature lymphocytes which may affect red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This condition is usually treated with higher doses of chemo drugs accompanied with stem cell transplant. A stem cell therapy enables doctors to use higher doses of chemo to kill cancer cell. Moreover, it also helps to restore bone marrow once the treatment is finished. Sickle cell disease In sickle cell disease, red blood cells take crescent or sickle-shaped and so it gets wedged in small blood vessels. This eventually makes it harder for the patient’s body to carry oxygen which leaves them tired, in pain, out of breath. Also, they become prone to infection. Stem cell transplants have been used to cure a variety of cancers, immune system disease, and blood disease, including sickle cell anemia. Stem cell transplants have been found very effective in treating patients with sickle cell anemia and have shown 85 percent chance of cure. Thus, umbilical cord blood stem cells act as a savior in multiple ailments and conditions.