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Finding a Match – Knowing the Difference between Related and Non-related Stem Cells
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Stem cells have been used in transplant medicine with much success for the last 40 years. Since 1988, stem cells from umbilical cord blood have played a critical role in that success. Growing numbers of expectant parents are donating children’s cord blood or enrolling in family banking, based on the profound potential in cord blood stem cells.
In the event those stem cells are needed for allogeneic transplant, a successful outcome is largely dependent on finding a compatible match from a donor who can be related, like a sibling, or of no relation at all. When a patient is in need the determination of who the donor will be is based on tissue matching. Understanding the basics of tissue matching is key to making an informed decision about what to do with your baby’s cord blood.
Categories: Did You Hear?, Family Matters
How Does it Match Up? Success Rates and Cord Blood Transplants
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
If your child needs a stem cell treatment, there is nothing more important than a successful outcome. Stem cell transplants are often used in medical situations where success means survival. Many factors can impact survival rate, including the source of the stem cells. Are they from bone marrow or cord blood? Are they from a relative or an unrelated donor? And does that donor provide the best possible HLA match?
Playing the matchmaker
A successful allogeneic transplant of cord blood or bone marrow starts with a successful match of tissue type. Located on the cells in your body are antigens that act as markers. These markers allow the body to recognize/distinguish self cells and foreign cells. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing is used to match these markers in the donor to the recipient.
The match criteria is determined by the transplant doctor for each unique medical case – a perfect match is always the goal. The better the match, the less likely it is a donor’s cells will attack a patient’s cells after transplant (also known as Graft vs. Host disease (GVHD). According…
Categories: Did You Hear?, Trends in Healthcare
Stem Cell Use – What are the Odds?
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010![babies5iStock_000010072649XSmall[1]](http://www.blog.viacord.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/babies5iStock_000010072649XSmall1-300x76.jpg "babies5iStock_000010072649XSmall[1]")
When parents are deciding whether to bank their children’s cord blood stem cells for family use, many consider when – if ever – they’ll be needed. Because a decision made today can have a significant impact on tomorrow, it’s important to know the facts about stem cell usage.
Although need can never be predicted absolutely, doctors and parents can evaluate reasonable odds and make informed decisions by considering:
- historical data and stem cell transplantation trends;
- current research; and
- stem cell impact on future medicine.
Current Uses: What historical data and trends indicate for potential use.
According to clinical data published by a group of independent scientists, at least one in every 1,666 people will need a hematopoietic stem cell transplant by age 20 and one in 217 by age 70.1
Categories: Did You Hear?, Family Matters
Cord Blood Treatments – Autologous Transplants & Infusions
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
In a recent blog post, we discussed allogeneic transplants and how they can be used to help treat a number of diseases. But did you know that autologous treatments, using a child’s own cord blood, can also help treat some of those same diseases, and are also on the forefront of a new and exciting area of research?
There are multiple applications for autologous treatments:
* In an autologous transplant a child’s own cord blood stem cells are transplanted back into that child to help treat some cancers, such as neuroblastoma and brain cancer. Autologous transplants require a pre-transplant conditioning regimen like alleogeneic transplants. They can also be used to treat acquired blood disorders, as opposed to blood disorders that are genetic. For example, complications from an organ transplant may result in acquired aplastic anemia. The child’s own cord blood could then be used to treat the acquired condition.
* In an autologous re-infusion a child’s own cord blood stem cells are re-infused into that child to help repair and re-grow cells that may be damaged. This emerging field of medicine is directed at treatments…
Categories: Did You Hear?, Emerging Treatments
ViaCord, Facebook & You: Together At Last.
Friday, August 6th, 2010ViaCord’s on Facebook. And the chances are… you are too!
With over 500 million active users on Facebook, their membership is now equivalent to the size of a country that would rank third in population behind the People’s Republic of China and India and roughly 190 million ahead of the United States. It is undeniably a phenomenon for the record books. And what better way for ViaCord to connect with you to inform and educate about advancements in cord blood, than with a networking tool for the ages.
On ViaCord’s Fan page you’ll get access to current research updates, blog posts, videos, and more. But even more compelling is the exchange of information and the passion provided by our fans.
We’ve been overwhelmed with the response so far. The willingness of ViaCord Fans to share their story and connect with other fans has been humbling and we are so appreciative for it.
Categories: Did You Hear?
Cord Blood Treatments – Allogeneic Transplants
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
From online pregnancy forums to feedback from customers and expecting moms, one thing is clear to us—the topic of cord blood can be confusing. With so much information available (and some of it conflicting), it can be hard for families to get the facts they need to make an informed choice about banking their baby’s cord blood. Today, we’re shedding some light on one commonly misunderstood topic—how cord blood is used in a stem cell treatment.
To start, there are two primary types of stem cell treatments:
- Allogeneic transplants, which occur when the patient receives stem cells from an unrelated or related (family member) donor.
- Autologous transplants and infusions, which use the patient’s own stem cells for treatment.
Today’s post focuses on allogeneic transplants and how siblings can play an important role. As parents we often think of hushing late night conversations, fights over toys and the inevitable “he hit me first!” squabbles when we think about siblings. But when it comes to allogeneic transplants, a sibling can go from a rival to a savior.
Categories: Did You Hear?