Future medical benefits of stem cells from the umbilical cord blood
The potential of these stem cells is remarkable; experts reckon that it will be possible in the future to treat strokes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s with stem cells, as well as chronic wounds, burns and injuries to the spine. Nobody knows when this will be possible; it could take just five years or it could take twenty. One thing is for sure; own stem cells from the umbilical cord blood are already being used to treat more than 25 severe diseases such as cancer, diabetes or brain damage.Useful Website
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Diseases which have been treated by blood stem cells
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Where stem cells from the umbilical cord blood can help today
Situations can arise during adulthood or childhood when the stem cells can no longer master their tasks. For instance, after severe sickness or accidents. Among this, stem cells grow tired over the years. This results in the diminishing of their ability to repair body tissues; therefore we become more susceptible to diseases. This is where stem cell therapy comes in; by administering vital new stem cells externally, the repair mechanism is set in motion again.Some examples of where stem cells are already in use in medical treatment:
Umbilical cord blood helps children with diabetes
Type-1 diabetes, the so-called youth diabetes, is still incurable (despite its treatment with insulin). Many of those affected suffer from severe long-term effects, such as nerve or vascular damage or diseases of the eye. Over the last few years, dozens of sick children suffering from type-1 diabetes have been treated with stem cells from their own umbilical cord blood – with impressive results. Since autumn 2008, Germany’s first diabetes study is now being conducted at the TU Munich, in which Vita 34 is a partner.
Combating brain damage in children with blood from the umbilical cord
Annually in Germany, some 1,000 children suffer severe brain damage, which can result in physical or mental disability. Two children affected (28 months and 3 months) were treated with their own umbilical cord blood at Ruhr University Bochum (in 2009). The first test results confirm what is currently being examined in the US in a major study; by administering own stem cells, a regeneration in the brain sets in, and children can regain abilities which were thought to have been lost.
Stem cells for the heart
For many heart diseases, which can range from heart defects present from birth in children (such as Fallot’s tetralogy), to heart attacks in adults, stem cell treatment is particularly interesting. Scientists have managed to develop heart valves from own stem cells, which grow with the body. In many university clinics, doctors are already using stem cells in order to strengthen the damaged heart muscle after an attack.
Both children and adults are already benefiting from stem cell treatment
Stem cell transplanlation for cancer and blood diseases
Already, and for more than 50 years, stem cells have been used to treat serious cancers. This treatment is being performed over 30,000 times a year in Europe alone. Many of the patients receiving this treatment are adults, but children too are already receiving stem cell treatment for cancer. If stem cells from the umbilical cord blood are available, children can be treated faster and also with better results.
With two in three stem cell treatments, own stem cells are administered. But even for diseases (such as leukaemia) where own stem cells are not the first choice, a depot of blood from the umbilical cord of a sibling can help. For example, in June 2009, a boy suffering from leukaemia was helped by the cord blood stem cells of his younger twin, which had been stored at Vita 34.
An increasing amount of children are being helped
Since the year 2000, the utilization of stem cells from the blood of the umbilical cord has increased dramatically. In 2009, probably some 100 children will be treated with own stem cells from the blood of their umbilical cord. Compared to this: In 1999 only one child received such a treatment.
Blood from the umbilical cord can, however, only be stored at birth. Expectant parents should therefore secure a depot of umbilical cord blood for their child in good time.
Already, and for more than 50 years, stem cells have been used to treat serious cancers. This treatment is being performed over 30,000 times a year in Europe alone. Many of the patients receiving this treatment are adults, but children too are already receiving stem cell treatment for cancer. If stem cells from the umbilical cord blood are available, children can be treated faster and also with better results.
With two in three stem cell treatments, own stem cells are administered. But even for diseases (such as leukaemia) where own stem cells are not the first choice, a depot of blood from the umbilical cord of a sibling can help. For example, in June 2009, a boy suffering from leukaemia was helped by the cord blood stem cells of his younger twin, which had been stored at Vita 34.
An increasing amount of children are being helped
Since the year 2000, the utilization of stem cells from the blood of the umbilical cord has increased dramatically. In 2009, probably some 100 children will be treated with own stem cells from the blood of their umbilical cord. Compared to this: In 1999 only one child received such a treatment.
Blood from the umbilical cord can, however, only be stored at birth. Expectant parents should therefore secure a depot of umbilical cord blood for their child in good time.