The Leader in Research | ViaCord

Over the past two decades the science of cord blood stem cell medicine has made incredible progress.  To think in1988 only one condition was treatable using cord blood stem cells, and today they can be used in the treatment of nearly 80 life-threatening diseases.  Moreover, cord blood stems cells have already been used to help treat and give hope to nearly 25,000 patients around the globe. ¹

Advancing uses for cord blood stem cells is just the beginning. Today, families can also collect and save stem cells from the surrounding umbilical cord tissue⁺– an option ViaCord is proud to offer expecting families. These tissue-derived stem cells have “regenerating” properties and laboratory research in the last few years has demonstrated their potential to treat additional diseases like Parkinson’s ², stroke ³, & type 1 diabetes.⁴

At ViaCord we understand more than most that advancements in treatment options are only possible with a steadfast commitment to research. That’s why for nearly 20 years ViaCord has collaborated with leading technology companies and research institutions that aim to increase the therapeutic potential of stem cells collected at birth.

Today, our commitment to science and research is stronger than ever. ViaCord’s collaborative efforts with key researchers are extensive:

CEREBRAL PALSY  ^5,6 – Duke University Medical Center
Many ViaCord families are currently enrolled in a medical trial for pediatric patients.

CANCER ^7,8 – MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ongoing collaboration to increase the total number of stem cells available from a single cord blood unit for adult transplants.

DIABETES ^{7,9 –} Diabetes Center of  Excellence
Studying the co-transplantation of cord blood HSCs and cord tissue MSCs in a pre-clinical model of diabetes.

SAFETY OF CORD TISSUE STEM CELLS ¹⁰ – Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Evaluating the safety and potential of cord tissue stem cells (MSCs) to develop into more than one type of mature cell in the lab.

PREMATURE BIRTHS ¹¹ – Miracle Babies
Researching optimal collection methods for umbilical cord blood and cord tissue stem cells following premature births for potential therapeutic uses.

JOINT INFLAMMATION ^{10, 12} – University of Toronto
Researching the efficacy of human umbilical cord perivascular MSCs to reduce pain in inflamed human knee joints.

IMMUNOMUDULATION ¹³ – University of Massachusetts
Investigating the immune modulation of autoimmune T cells in type 1 diabetes using cord tissue MSCs.

As a leader in newborn stem cell research, our role in helping to improve health for all is a reflection of our passion to see families continue to grow  - together, happy and healthy.

 

 

REFERENCES:

+ Medical treatments using family banked cord tissue are not available today;
there is no guarantee that therapies will be developed in the future.

1. Butler MG, Menitove JE. Umbilical cord blood banking: an update. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011. PMID: 21617932.

2. Fu YS, Cheng YC, Lin MY, et al. Conversion of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in Wharton’s jelly to dopaminergic neurons in vitro: potential therapeutic application for Parkinsonism. Stem Cells. 2006 Jan;24(1):115-124. Epub 2005 Aug 11.

3. Ding DC, Shyu WC, Chiang MF, et al. Enhancement of neuroplasticity through upregulation of beta1-integrin in human umbilical cord-derived stromal cell implanted stroke model. Neurobiol Dis. 2007 Sep;27(3):339-353. Epub 2007 Jun 18.

4. Anzalone R, Lo Iacono M, Loria T, et al. Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells as candidates for beta cells regeneration: extending the differentiative and immunomodulatory benefits of adult mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Stem Cell Rev. 2010 Oct 23. [Epub ahead of print.]

5. Kurtzberg J. Status of a clinical trial of autologous cord blood stem cells for the treatment of cerebral palsy and other acquired brain injuries in young children. Poster presented at: 8th Annual International Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Symposium; June 3–5, 2010; San Francisco, CA.

6. National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov. A randomized study of autologous umbilical cord blood reinfusion in children with cerebral palsy. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT1147653?term=Kurtzberg &rank=6. Identifier NCT01147653. Accessed November 21, 2011

7. Data on file. PerkinElmer, Inc.

8. Robbins S. New developments in umbilical cord blood technologies. ASCR Network.
   http://www.ascrnetwork.com/component/content/article/53-march-2009/373-new-developments-in-umbilical-cordbloodtechnologies.html. Accessed November 21, 2011.

9. Data on file. Diabetes Center for Excellence. Worcester, MA

10. Data on file. Brigham & Women’s Hospital Transplantation Research Center.

11. Data on file. PerkinElmer. PerkinElmer’s ViaCord® cord blood banking business collaborates with miracle babies to improve collection of stem cells from premature births for potential therapeutic use. http://www.perkinelmer.com/AboutUs/PressRoom/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetails.xhtml?ReleaseID=634408. Accessed December 22, 2011.

12. Data on file. University of Toronto.

13. Robbins S. New developments in umbilical cord blood technologies. ASCR Network. http://www.ascrnetwork.com/component/content/article/53-march-2009/373-new-developments-in-umbilical-cordbloodtechnologies.html. Accessed November 21, 2011.