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Cord Blood Banking

What is Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is delivered. In the past, cord blood was traditionally discarded as medical waste. However, following years of research, medical scientists have now applied the stem cells found in cord blood to successfully treat over 80 diseases!

Treatable Diseases 

Thus far, cord blood stem cells have been successfully used to treat numerous diseases, including cancers (such as leukemia, lymphomas, myelomas), blood disorders (such as thalassemias, sickle cell anemia, Fanconi’s anemia), and immune deficiency diseases. Please refer to all treatable  diseases. Recently, cord blood stem cells have been used in clinical trials to repair damaged tissues and organs (regenerative medicine), and the outcomes have been promising.

Life-Saving Potential that is Too Precious to Waste

Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells

Bone marrow transplantation is a definitive or adjuvant therapy for patients with otherwise life-threatening diseases; however, finding a suitable bone marrow donor in a timely manner when a patient requires a transplant can be extremely difficult. Cord blood has the same types of stem cells as those found in bone marrow. The cells in cord blood can therefore be used as an alternative to bone marrow stem cells to save the lives of patients.

It contains valuable, therapeutic stem cells

  • Unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSC)
    The discovery of unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSC), a non-hematopoietic stem cell population, brought cord blood (CB) to the forefront of regenerative medicine, a new field that uses cord blood to repair damaged tissues and organs (Matsumoto T and Mugishima H, Int J Stem Cells, 83-89 Nov 2(2) 2009).
  • Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)
    Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types, such as osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and adipocytes (fat cells) and more. (A.Malgieri, E. Kantzari, M. Patrizi and S. Gambaradella, IJCEM, 248-269, 2010)
  • Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)
    The use of human cord-blood-derived EPCs is used for induction of angiogenesis in critically ischemic diseases.

It has been successfully used to treat many types of life-threatening diseases

Stem cells have been used to treat many types of malignant and non-malignant life-threatening diseases. Cord blood stem cells have saved the lives of over forty thousand patients worldwide.

It has been recommended that transplanting cord blood stem cells with a perfect HLA match should be the first choice over bone marrow to treat malignant diseases (Smith A. and Wagner J. BJH147, 246–261, 2009).

100% Match with Your Baby (Autologous use)

The number of the autologous therapy cases (treatment using the baby’s own cord blood stem cells) has raised exponentially, compared with the growth in the number of treatments using cord blood stem cells donated by others. (Verter F and Nietfeld J. Cytotherapy Vol.12 Supplement 1, 2010 (abstract)).

Since there is a chance that a child may be a close match with a sibling, it is more beneficial to save cord blood stem cells from each child to increase the probability of matching a family member who may develop a disease requiring stem cell therapy. Moreover, the additional cord blood units can be used for patients whose treatments may require two cord blood units.

Autologous transplantation of cord blood could become an important therapy

It is increasing much faster than allogeneic transplantation

The rising rate of autologous therapy (treatment with the donor’s own cord blood stem cells) exceeds exponential growth, compared with linear growth in the number of allogeneic cord blood transplants being performed (NMDP) (treatment with cord blood stem cells donated by others) (Verter F and Nietfeld J. Cytotherapy Vol.12 Supplement 1, 2010 (abstract)).

Banking cord blood at birth is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Cord blood can only be collected at birth but the life saving potential of these valuable cells can last a life-time.

Treatable Diseases

Over 80 types of diseases are proven treatable by Cord Blood Stem Cells Transplantation.

Acute Leukemias

  • Acute Biphenotypic Leukemia
  • Acute Lymphoblast Leukemia (ALL)
  • Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
  • Acute Undifferentiated Leukemia

Chronic Leukemias

  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
  • Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
  • Juvenile Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (JCML)
  • Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML)

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

  • Amyloidosis
  • Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
  • Refractory Anemia (RA)
  • Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts (RAEB)
  • Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts in Transformation (RAEB-T)
  • Refractory Anemia with Ringed Sideroblasts (RARS)

Stem Cell Disorders

  • Aplastic Anemia (Severe)
  • Congenital Cytopenia
  • Dyskeratosis Congenita
  • Fanconi Anemia
  • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)

Myeloproliferative Disorders

  • Acute Myelofibrosis
  • Agnogenic Myeloid Metaplasia (myelofibrosis)
  • Essential Thrombocythemia
  • Polycythemia Vera

Lymphoproliferative Disorders

  • Hodgkin’s Disease
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Prolymphocytic Leukemia

Phagocyte Disorders

  • Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
  • Chronic Granulomatous Disease
  • Neutrophil Actin Deficiency
  • Reticular Dysgenesis

Liposomal Storage Diseases/ Inherited Metabolic Disorders

  • Adrenoleukodystrophy
  • Alpha Mannosidosis
  • Gaucher’s Disease
  • Hunter’s Syndrome (MPS-II)
  • Hurler’s Syndrome (MPS-IH)
  • Krabbe Disease
  • Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome (MPS-VI)
  • Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
  • Morquio Syndrome (MPS-IV)
  • Mucolipidosis II (I-cell Disease)
  • Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS)
  • Niemann-Pick Disease
  • Sanfilippo Syndrome (MPS-III)
  • Scheie Syndrome (MPS-IS)
  • Sly Syndrome, Beta-Glucuronidase Deficiency (MPS-VII)
  • Wolman Disease

Histiocytic Disorders

  • Familial Erythrophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
  • Hemophagocytosis
  • Histiocytosis-X
  • Langerhans’ Cell Histiocytosis

Inherited Erythrocyte Abnormalities

  • Beta Thalassemia Major
  • Blackfan-Diamond Anemia
  • Pure Red Cell Aplasia
  • Sickle Cell Disease

Congenital (Inherited) Immune System Disorders

  • Absence of T & B Cells SCID
  • Absence of T Cells, Normal B Cell SCID
  • Ataxia-Telangiectasia
  • Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency
  • DiGeorge Syndrome
  • Kostmann Syndrome
  • Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
  • Omenn’s Syndrome
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
  • SCID with Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
  • X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disorder

Inherited Platelet Abnormalities

  • Amegakaryocytosis / Congenital Thrombocytopenia

Other Inherited Disorders

  • Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia
  • Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
  • Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria
  • Glanzmann Thrombasthenia
  • Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome
  • Osteopetrosis
  • Sandhoff Disease
  • Tay Sachs Disease

Plasma Cell Disorders

  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Plasma Cell Leukemia
  • Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia

Other Malignancies

  • Brain Tumors
  • Breast Cancer
  • Ewing Sarcoma
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Renal Cell Carcinoma
  • Retinoblastoma
  • Small-Cell Lung Cancer
  • Testicular Cancer

Autoimmune Diseases

  • Evan Syndrome

Emerging Stem Cell Applications

  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Cardiac Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Liver Disease
  • Lupus
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Stroke

Take a look inside our  Collection Kit!

Progenics’ collection kit contains all the supplies your healthcare provider will need for the collection of your baby’s cord blood and Cord Tissue.

1. Cooling Pack

The cooling pack is included in the collection kit for temperature control.

2. Sterile ChloraPrep® Applicator

The applicators are used to disinfect the cord prior to cord blood and cord tissue collection.

3. Cord Blood Collection Details and Tamper Evident Seal

Cord blood collection details will be recorded on the identification label. The tamper evident seal will be secured on the collection kit for transportation to Progenics Laboratory.

4. Sterile Cord Blood Collection Bag

We use Pall cord blood collection bags which have completed an extensive sterilization process by the manufacturer. It is made safe and convenient for all cord blood collections by healthcare professionals. The bag is Health Canada, FDA and CE marked under the Medical Devices Directive for the collection of cord blood.

5. 6mL Tubes

Maternal blood samples are collected for testing to detect potential infectious disease transmission via transplantation of cord blood units.

6. Collection Instruction, and Cord Blood & Cord Tissue Collection Record

Detailed instructions are included for reference. Collection information will be recorded on the Cord Blood & Cord Tissue Collection Record.

7. Collection Kit (Local)

Progenics uses professional grade cases to transport samples locally, providing the highest level of protection during transit from hospitals back to the laboratory.

8. LogTag (Temperature Log)

A LogTag is included to continuously monitor the temperature in your collection kit.

9. Cord Tissue Specimen Container

A segment of umbilical cord tissue is collected and sealed in a sterile Specimen container.

Cord Tissue

Cord tissue can be collected and processed in addition to cord blood.

Progenics’ cord tissue collection kit contains all the supplies your healthcare provider needs for the collection of your baby’s cord tissue.

The Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UC-MSCs) have more primitive properties than adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells. UC-MSCs have a greater expansion ability in vitro and faster doubling time than adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells which might make them a useful source for clinical applications.

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What is Cord Tissue?

After your baby is born, your health care professional will obtain a segment of the umbilical cord (approximately 15cm in length) called cord tissue.

Cord tissue, specifically the Wharton’s Jelly portion that we cryopreserve in our processing laboratory, is considered a rich source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) which have the ability to regenerate themselves in addition to their potential to differentiate into various specialized cells such as bone cells, cartilage cells and fat cells among others. The mentioned cells can be used in regenerative medicine to potentially treat specific medical conditions. MSCs are related to lower risk of rejection and transplant complications.

Currently, MSCs is the subject of over 300 clinical trials with the potential to someday treat conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, skin burns and injuries to bones and cartilage. It holds promise to treat various acute and degenerative diseases as well as immune-medicated diseases.

 Three Easy Steps to Bank Your Baby’s Cord Blood and Cord Tissue

Registration

Step 1 – Registration

Registration can be completed in person, over the phone, online, by fax, mail, or e-mail.  Register 2 to 3 months in advance and receive your collection kit.

(In certain circumstances you can still register with Progenics as long as there is enough time to deliver a collection kit to you before you give birth to your baby. Emergency kits are also available at certain hospitals in the GTA and surrounding areas, please give us a call for more information!)

Step 2 – Collection

Bring your collection kit to the hospital on the day of your delivery. Your healthcare provider will use the supplies for collecting the samples.

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Step 3 – Courier to Progenics

Contact Progenics’ designated courier for collection kit pick-up.

Let’s get started