Stem cell from cord blood

Since the stem cells treatment is so beneficial in treating many diseases, scientists are searching for more stem cells sources to provide and supply the great need of stem cells amount.
Stem cells are well-known as 'master cells' for they are the early stage of cell and have the ability to be specialized into many kinds of cells. Stem cells treatment has proved successful in treating many diseases such as diabetes, stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer, Parkinson, heart diseases, disabilities and even cancers. Stem cells can do such miraculous treatment because they have the ability to replace the damaged cells, revive the organ to produce healthy cells, and when they are transplanted into the body, the immune system won't consider them as the enemies.

Previously, the embryonic stem cells are taken from human's blastocyst and the adult stem cells are taken from human's adult tissues. Both blastocyst and adult tissues offer limited stem cells. Therefore the scientists are adding the cord blood as the third option of stem cells source. This source is familiar with the name cord blood stem cells (CBSC).

What are Cord Blood Stem Cells ?

Cord Blood is blood taken from the umbilical cord that connects a baby to his/her mother, or usually named the placental cord blood. CBSC are stem cells in the placental of the cord blood. Why CBSC are so special? Because they are the 'youngest' or 'earliest' stage of any stem cells available in a human body. And the CBSC mostly develop themselves into body immune system guards, such as white blood cells for fighting body's intruders (enemies), red blood cells for oxygen transportation route, and platelets for blood clotting.

The advantages of Cord Blood Stem Cells

What makes the CBSC the best stem-cells source?
1. They are the 'earliest' stage of stem cells which makes them perfect or flawless of any cells destruction and DNA mutation which are mostly found in adult stem cells.
2. Can be used to treat another patients which are still have blood relationship with the cord blood owner, for example : the family members. The cord blood stem cells will reduce or avoid the Allogeneic and GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease) complication which mostly happen to the cord blood stem cells recipients (exclude the cord blood owner).

However, CBSC may not always be the best choice for stem cells treatment because they are the 'earliest' stage of stem cells and need to get through more steps to finally form the immune system and blood cells in human body. These steps take longer period which may sometimes make the cord blood stem cells therapy less effective, or even risky.
There are two solutions to solve the scarcity of stem cells in cord blood :
1. the patient will be given two units of cord blood stem cells, or
2. the cord blood stem cells are grown in laboratory for larger amount before transplanted into a patient.

So far, the CBSC treatment has successfully cured stroke, heart diseases and Alzheimer. But further research is still needed to improve the treatment efficiency.