by What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are unique cells found in all human beings that have the amazing potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. There are two main types of stem cells – embryonic stem cells, which are isolated from human embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in various tissues such as bone marrow, fat tissue and umbilical cord blood. Adult stem cells have the ability to repair and regenerate damaged cells and tissues in the body. Stem cell banking offers a way to safely store a person’s adult stem cells for potential future medical use.
Why Bank Stem Cells?
Advances in Stem Cell Banking research are opening up new possibilities for the treatment of many devastating diseases and medical conditions. As regenerative medicine continues to progress, a person’s own stored stem cells may provide an invaluable resource for treatments that could repair damage or replace dysfunctional cells and tissues. Banking stem cells allows individuals to have their valuable stem cells safely stored and available if they or a family member develops a condition that may potentially be treatable with stem cell therapy in the future. This greatly increases the chances of a successful stem cell transplant without having to search for an unrelated donor match.
Methods of Stem Cell Collection and Storage
There are a few main methods currently used to collect and store stem cells for banking:
Umbilical cord blood collection – Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells that can be used to treat over 80 diseases. After a baby is born, the umbilical cord and placental blood is collected, processed and cryogenically frozen for long-term storage in a stem cell bank.
Bone marrow collection – A minimally invasive surgical procedure is performed under anesthesia to extract bone marrow from the pelvic bone which contains mesenchymal stem cells. The harvested material is then frozen for storage.
Adipose tissue collection – Fat tissue containing adipose-derived stem cells can be collected through a minimally invasive procedure that involves liposuction under local anesthesia. The resulting cell concentrate is then cryogenically preserved.
Peripheral blood collection – After injections of a drug to mobilize stem cells from the bone marrow into circulating blood, blood is drawn from a vein and processed to isolate hematopoietic stem cells, which are then frozen in the gas phase of liquid nitrogen.
Once collected, stem cells are carefully tested, processed and frozen at ultra-low temperatures, often using liquid nitrogen that cools cells to -196°C for long-term cryopreservation until they are needed for potential future use. The cells can be stored safely for many decades at these extreme temperatures without deteriorating.
Who Should Consider Stem Cell Banking?
Stem cell banking can provide invaluable future treatment options for:
– Expecting parents who want to store and preserve their newborn’s umbilical cord blood Stem Cell Banking. This has the potential to treat the child or a family member later in life for diseases treatable by cord blood transplant.
– Individuals with a family history of diseases treatable by stem cell transplant like blood cancers, immune disorders or metabolic diseases. This increases the chances of finding a matching donor.
– Patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy that damage bone marrow. Banking stem cells prior to starting treatment preserves undamaged stem cells for future transplantation.
– Athletes, military personnel or others who could potentially be exposed to accidents or illnesses requiring stem cell therapies down the line. Proactively banking one’s own stem cells increases future treatment options.
Evaluating Stem Cell Banking Options
When considering stem cell banking, it’s important to carefully evaluate the options available. Look for stem cell banks that are certified, have excellent storage and processing facilities, and provide affordable payment plans. Also check what diseases and conditions the stored stem cells can potentially treat based on current research. Overall success rates for different therapies should be reviewed. Speaking to your doctor can help determine if stem cell banking makes sense based on individual health and family history. With advance preparation, stem cell banking offers peace of mind that one’s valuable regenerative cells will be safely stored and accessible for potentially life-saving treatments in the future.
With the promise of regenerative medicine technologies advancing rapidly, stem cell therapies are set to transform healthcare in the coming years. Stem cell banking allows individuals to proactively take advantage of these emerging therapies by preserving their valuable adult stem cell reserves for treatment of disease and injury long into the future. Provided the cells are properly collected, processed and cryogenically preserved at certified facilities, banking one’s stem cells is proving to be a prudent investment in future health for many individuals and families. With more research validating stem cell treatments, the decision to bank stem cells now could very well provide a vital key to unlocking new treatments and even cures down the line.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya,a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
