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 for conditions which have no cure today, such as Cerebral Palsy and Type 1 Diabetes. Re-infusions do not require a conditioning regimen like transplants do.

A silver lining with autologous treatments is that the need to find a suitable stem cell donor is eliminated because the patient’s own cells are used in treatment, which also means there’s no risk the patient’s body will reject the cells.

Exciting advancements in autologous cord blood use
Because cord blood stem cells have demonstrated regenerative properties and there is no risk of rejection there are some exciting clinical trials currently in progress in the U.S. These trials are evaluating if autologous re-infusions can help treat children with Type 1 Diabetes and Cerebral Palsy. Encouraging preliminary research has paved the way for both trials to move into Phase II studies.

• Type 1 Diabetes: This autoimmune disease occurs when the child’s immune system begins attacking cells within the pancreas. The doctor conducting the study at the University of Florida found early evidence that suggests an autologous cord blood re-infusion can help reduce the need for insulin post infusion vs pre-infusion in children with Type 1 Diabetes. The outcome – a Phase II trial, now in progress, where the doctor is seeking to evaluate if an infusion of autologous (self) cord blood cells followed by 1 year of daily vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acid supplements can preserve beta cell function in children with Type I Diabetes.
•  Cerebral Palsy: Duke University is conducting an ongoing clinical study to determine if autologous umbilical cord blood reinfusion is beneficial in children with cerebral palsy, a condition caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. The goal of this study, which recently moved into Phase II after determining the safety of a child with CP receiving an autologous cord blood infusion, is to determine the effectiveness of a single intravenous infusion of autologous (self) umbilical cord blood for the treatment of pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Because of these two trials, ViaCord has seen more units leave our facility for autologous use than ever before. And we’re not the only ones taking notice. Duke University also recently granted $10.2 million by the Robertson Foundation to create a state-of-the-art Translational Cell Therapy Center (TCTC). The center will help support and advance the work of many Duke researchers in exploring various applications of cell-based therapies.

Read about the experiences of ViaCord families that are participating in this new area of research:

• A ‘Maybe One Day’ turns into a chance for Katie
• Lillan’s Story: Cerebral Palsy Treated with Cord Blood

We also encourage you to review our transplant list  for more information about how ViaCord families have used their child’s cord blood for autologous treatments. You’ll find detailed information about donor relationships and diseases treated.

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