Why Bank with Us?
Stem cells are relatively primitive cells that have the ability to divide rapidly to produce more specialized cells. Stem cells in the embryo are capable of huge variation in the kinds of tissues they make, reproduce rapidly and have attracted interest of researchers for decades. However embryonic stem cells are hard to get hold of in humans and collection of embryos also require elaborate licensing by regulatory authorities.
Cord blood or bone marrow derived stem cells, on the other hand are easier to collect, do not require elaborate licensing and are better tolerated than embryonic stem cells. These stem cells are also stable and more predictable and easily transplanted in patients, with minimal chances of rejection. However, adult bone marrow derived stem cells are preferred for autologous transplantation, while cord blood derived stem cells are useful for allogenic transplants. These cord blood derived stem cells expand the range of therapeutic efficacy of transplant medicine.
Cord Blood Banking
One gets a single chance to preserve their baby’s cord blood. That’s why it’s critical to select a high quality cord blood storage facility. Some of the facts are discussed below.
During pregnancy, the umbilical cord is the lifeline between mother and baby. Once the umbilical cord is discarded after the baby’s birth, the chance to preserve these precious cells that are an exact match for the child is lost. The baby’s “treasure” of stem cells can be stored with a guaranteed match so that the child will have life-saving protection against disease in the event that such a disease threatens it or a sibling. When there is a history of any of the various listed diseases in the family, having a perfect stem cell match are a future protection for the baby. Preserving these cells is a genuine form of biological insurance, should any of these diseases develop over time, even though no family history may exist.
Collecting cord blood is medically safe. Since the collection is done after the cord is cut following the delivery of the baby, this procedure poses absolutely no health risks to the mother or the baby. Cord blood collection does not also affect the baby or the mother’s birth experience. However, if the mother or the baby undergoes any complications during delivery, the treating doctor may choose not to collect the cord blood.
Stem cells are used today in the treatment of leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, aplastic anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders. There are approximately 1.4 million new cancer cases each year. As stem cell transplants become more routine, they may be used to fight lung cancer, sickle cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, AIDS and many genetic diseases. Over 90 clinical conditions are listed as being treatable by stem cell transplants.
The identities of the cord blood donor and parents are kept confidential at the cord blood bank at all times and follow HIPPA confidentiality standards. Donating cord blood to the public cord blood bank is different from storing the cord blood for a family’s private use. Privately stored cord blood is reserved for the child or its family, while publicly donated cord blood goes into a public registry pool and may be used to treat any potential recipient with a good HLA match.
After the baby’s birth, the umbilical cord is clamped, breaking the link between the baby and the placenta. The small amount of blood remaining in the placenta and umbilical cord, typically three to five fluid ounces, is drained and taken to a cord blood bank where the unit is processed and samples are sent for tests. To be stored, the cord blood unit must meet these standards:
- The unit must be large enough.
- The maternal and family health history must meet eligibility guidelines.
- Tests of the cord blood unit and the mother’s blood sample must show no signs of infection or other possible problems.
If the unit meets these standards, it is frozen and stored in a liquid nitrogen container. Such a processed cord blood sample can be stored almost indefinitely at –190oC, in liquid nitrogen. The stored cord blood sample is uniquely identified in the RNTB-SCRC registry and is made available for therapy in the event of illness.
Private Banking Services
The private cord blood bank would store cord-blood and cord tissue derived stem cells for the exclusive use of clients who would pay for the cryo-storage, for a period of 21 years. These samples would be used for the child or its siblings anytime in the future, for therapy of various medical conditions.
The prospective parents would register for this service at least one or two months before the expected date of delivery. This would involve filling up registration, terms of agreement and an informed consent form and paying the one-time fee of Rs. 14,800 (Fourteen Thousand Eight Hundred Rupees only).
Once registered, the parents-to be would be handed over the collection kit containing all the necessary items for a successful specimen collection. A maternal information leaflet would also be enclosed within the kit for entry of delivery data by the treating obstetrician.
Information of our authorized couriers and logistics personnel would be provided for efficient and timely pick up of the collected specimen and prompt delivery at our processing center in Bangalore. The concerned obstetrician would also be contacted to ensure that they are familiar with the entire procedure and to obtain a satisfactory specimen in the end, free of all possible contamination.
The “at-cost” tariff for the private banking services has been designed keeping in mind the masses. The payment of storage charges has also been made easy with a multitude of flexible and comfortable options.
The samples stored in the private bank would only be available for the child, its siblings and parents. However, if the parents wish to use this sample for a near relative, this would have to be authorized by them by way of a signed document.
The stem cells preserved in the private bank would be given for therapy free of cost, but the parents would have to bear the cost of HLA typing and other therapeutics costs that may be incurred.
The private bank samples would not be available to any other patient as long as the terms of agreement are in force. If however, there has been a default of payment, in line with the termination clauses stated in the agreement, such a sample would be shifted to the public bank facility with strict anonymity and be made available to any other patient who may require therapy.
The tariff for the services offered are given below in the table.
Public Banking Services
The public cord blood bank would enable us to collect cord blood from delivery and birthing centers, process these specimens, type their HLA signature and store them in ultra-low temperature conditions for use on prospective recipients. These recipients would have to be matched against their HLA signature with the stored stem cell concentrate.
Patients with a disease treatable by stem cell therapy would have to have their HLA type known and they approach us for treatment. Such patients would be matched against our library of samples to identify a suitable match which would then be issued at a nominal cost. The cost of therapy would however be separate and informed to the patient before embarking on the treatment.
One of the advantages of cord blood derived stem cell therapy is that the HLA match needs to be only a 4/6 match instead of the 6/6 match that is mandatory in a bone marrow transplant. Also, the chances of GVHD (Graft-versus-host-disease) are less likely compared to matched bnone marrow transplants.
The patient would agree to undergo the stem cell therapy and would sign all the necessary consent forms that are mandatory. If needed, the Institutional Committee for Stem Cell Research and therapy (IC-SCRT) would also clear such a therapy.
Philanthropists, donors and NGOs are urged to “adopt” batches of samples so that these samples could be tested, HLA typed, screened for genetic diseases and be issued to deserving patients.
This way, the collection, storage and issue of stem cells obtained from the cord blood and cord tissue could be really taken forward to a logical end of making the novel therapy available to the masses.
