Cord Blood Stem Cell Disease Treatment
So far, there are several different ways to use umbilical cord blood stem cell in the treatment of various diseases. Usually, these treatments involve the transplantation of the stem cells in the umbilical cord blood to the recipient's body. This article will present a few of the applications of cord blood stem cell in disease treatment . And hopefully, with continuous extensive research, more will be discovered soon.
Cord blood stem cells in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma
Cord blood is most commonly transplanted to patients suffering from certain forms of cancer such as lymphoma and leukemia. These are two of the most feared forms of cancer today. Almost 2,000 new cases turn up annually and most of them are children below the age of 20. These diseases attack certain sensitive parts of the immune system, rendering the body defenseless from infections and common ailments. In leukemia, the bone marrow is attacked by cells that cannibalize it, so that it becomes incapable of producing platelets. The bone marrow produces important blood cells that cause blood to clot and prevent excessive bleeding. The initial indications of leukemia are the presence of a cut or abrasion that refuses to heal, paleness, fatigue, and easy bruising. Lymphoma, on the other hand, attacks the lymph nodes, the specialized glands in the body that are part of the lymphatic system. This series of glands, channels, and vessels draws blood plasma away from the circulatory system, passes it throughout the body, and eventually allows it to be returned to the circulatory system. This system, together with white blood cells, protects the body from infections and bacteria.
Cord blood is used as a substitute for the highly invasive bone marrow transplants, which was the way these diseases were commonly treated in the past. A compatible donor had to be found. This process could take years, and in some cases, it never happened at all. The donor's marrow would then be inserted into the patient's bone. As one would expect, this experience will be highly uncomfortable for both the patient and the donor.
With the development of cord blood stem cell therapy, transplants have become less unpleasant and finding compatible donors has become much easier. Because the stem cells in cord blood are more primitive than those found in marrow, they are more easily accepted by the host's body. In some cases, the donor can even become the recipient of his own cord blood. The process of cord blood stem cell therapy is as simple as receiving the cord blood intravenously. It can sometimes be done in the comfort of the patient's bed in the hospital.
Cord blood stem cells in the treatment of other diseases
Scientists have postulated that stem cells can also be used in the treatment of other ailments. Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are still in need of definitive cures and stem cell research seems to be able to provide that.
A recorded case of stem cell therapy to regenerate a woman's spinal cord already exists. While this is the only such recorded case in the world as of June 2006, researchers are optimistic that this will not be the last. However, these exciting new treatments are still in the experimental phase and they are not currently available.