1. Cord blood: the basics
https://www.wmda.info/cord-blood/basics-cord-blood/
https://www.savethecordfoundation.org/what-is-cord-blood.html
https://www.worldcordbloodday.org/facts-on-cord-blood.html
https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/file_assets/FS2_Cord_Blood_Transplantation_6_16FINAL.pdf
2. Use of cord blood stem cells: A valuable medical resource
An estimated 700,000 umbilical cord blood units have been donated for public use, and over 40,000 umbilical cord blood transplantations have been performed. Over 25,000 patients have been cured with this approach. Follow the links below to explore the importance of cord blood stem cell transplantation, challenges and future directions.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580430/
https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/sctm.17-0069
https://www.cb-association.org/indications-for-utilization-of-stored-umbilical-cord-blood
3. Diseases that can be treated with cord blood Stem Cells.
Cord blood can be used to treat more than 80 diseases, including various cancers and blood, immune, and metabolic disorders. Follow the links below for more information.
https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/diseases
https://www.savethecordfoundation.org/real-stories.html
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/for-which-diseases-or-con/
4. Regenerative medicine and stem cells: Current therapies and future directions
There is considerable interest in the use of cord blood-derived stem cells in the field of regenerative medicine. Clinical trials are currently evaluating the use of cord blood stem cells as a potential treatment for conditions like cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, vascular disease, autism, cardiac disease and skin lesions to name but a few. The following links touch on many relevant topics.
https://www.savethecordfoundation.org/stem-cells-from-cord-blood-in-regenerative-medicine.html
https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/sctm.17-0069
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26598661
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1700/768bfc76b605a929794765f0c922c9ac0404.pdf
https://www.bioeden.com/us/news/stem-cell-therapy-may-cure-spinal-cord-injury/
https://www.eurostemcell.org/spinal-cord-injuries-how-could-stem-cells-help
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00989547
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5675835/
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.029607
http://www.factwebsite.org/Inner.aspx?id=1345
5. Clinical trials using cord blood: A selection of currently registered trials listed by the ClinicalTrials.gov registry
Cord Blood Infusion for Ischemic Stroke
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02397018?term=cord+blood&recrs=aef&rank=2
Study of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Blood Infusion for Adults with Ischemic Stroke (CoBIS 2)
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03004976?term=cord+blood&recrs=aef&rank=3
Clinical Effect and Safety of Autologous Umbilical Cord Blood Transfusion in the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03791372?term=cord+blood&recrs=aef&rank=4
Safety of Autologous Cord Blood Cells in HLHS Patients During Norwood Heart Surgery
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03431480?term=cord+blood&recrs=aef&rank=5
Umbilical Cord Blood Collection and Processing for Cardiac Regeneration in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Patients
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01856049?term=cord+blood&recrs=aef&draw=4&rank=16
A Clinical Trial to Asses Efficacy and Safety of Cord Blood Eye Drops in Neurotrophic Keratopathy
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03084861?term=cord+blood&recrs=aef&draw=6&rank=41
Umbilical Cord Blood Collection and Processing for Cardiac Regeneration in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Patients
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=cardiac+&term=cord+blood&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=
Safety and Exploratory Efficacy Study of NEUROSTEM® Versus Placebo in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02054208?term=cord+blood&cond=Alzheimer+Disease&rank=1
Implantation of Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cell From Umbilical Cord Blood for Osteoarthritis Management
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03800810?term=cord+blood&cond=Orthopedic+Disorder&rank=2
6. Volume reduction processing of cord blood and the importance of reducing red blood cells levels: The international standard practice
It has been widely accepted in clinical practice for many years that it is best practice to deplete cord blood units of red blood cells using a process called volume reduction. This process also removes much of the plasma before cryopreserving the remaining cellular component of the blood which is rich in the stem cells. Any cord blood units that have not been red cell depleted that are to be used clinically must be washed in a laboratory to reduce the red cell numbers and this risks loss of valuable stem cells.
https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/why-red-blood-cells-should-be-removed-cord-blood-storage
FACT-JACIE International Standards for Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy product collection, processing and administration 7th Edition (2018) states the following: “B7.6.3.1 Cord blood units that have not been red cell reduced prior to cryopreservation shall be washed prior to administration”
7. Cord tissue stem cells:
Cord tissue is a potentially valuable resource and holds much promise for use in many applications within the field of regenerative medicine. Cord tissue is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells which have the capacity to differentiate into different cell types and critically, to facilitate healing of damaged tissues.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/sci/2018/8429042/
https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/faqs/what-cord-tissue-banking
https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/trials-umbilical-cord-tissue
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6072226/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768521/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4515303/
https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/banking-stem-cells-umbilical-cord-tissue-future-regenerative-medicine-applications
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/mmr.2018.9181
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/etm.2018.6975
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5689772/
http://www.eurekaselect.com/107161/article
8. Clinical trials using cord tissue: a selection of currently registered trials listed by the ClinicalTrials.gov registry:
Umbilical Cord Tissue-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Rheumatoid Arthritis
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01985464?term=cord+tissue&recrs=adef&rank=1
Feasibility Study of Human Umbilical Cord Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02034188?term=cord+tissue&recrs=adef&rank=2
Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Autism
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02192749?term=cord+tissue&recrs=adef&rank=4
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03484741?term=cord+tissue&recrs=adef&rank=7
9. Other Trials Using Stem Cells
Download our PDF that explores how global co-operation has resulted in cellular therapies aimed at treating patients with COVID-19 here.