| What are "Stem-Cells"? |
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| Stem cells are the building blocks of
the blood and the immune system. Marrow and blood stem cells are the
production units which differentiate to become mature blood cells. |
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Red blood cells that
carry oxygen |
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White blood cells that
fight infection |
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Platelets that help
blood clot. |
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| Stem cells are capable of regenerating
a patient's blood and immune system which have been compromised by
cancer, genetic disorders, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Transplanted
stem cells migrate to the patient's bone marrow where they multiply
and differentiate. As they reconstitute the blood and immune systems
they help to fight cancer. |
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| Most stem cell transplantation using
cord blood is performed on relatively young patients. Although childhood
cancer is a relatively rare event, in the Unites States it is the
leading cause of death from diseases in children 1-14 years of age.
Stem cells also serve a vital role in cases where high-doses of chemotherapy
or radiotherapy have suppressed the patient's marrow reserves. |
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| Stem cells can be harvested from 3 sources: |
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Bone Marrow |
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Peripheral (circulating)
blood |
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Cord blood |
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| Despite the relatively low volume of
blood collected from the placenta and umbilical cord after birth,
the number of stem cells extracted is high enough to enable the performance
of a transplant, mostly in young patients. New technologies allowing
expansion of the cells are showing great promise and will soon make
this treatment suitable for all patients. |
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& Answers |
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