Leukaemia & Stem Cell

31 October 2014

Stem Cell

What are cord blood stem cells?

Cord blood, also called “placental blood”, is blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a baby and after the umbilical cord is cut. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and child. After a baby’s delivery, the cord blood present in the umbilical cord could offer hope for the child or members of the family.

Cord blood is a rich source of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are primarily responsible for replenishing blood and regenerating the immune system. They have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types found in blood as depicted in the diagram below:

Red Blood Cell

Platelets

White Blood Cell

This article below was taken back in August 2004 and published by Straits Times Interactive.

Stem-cell transplant from umbilical cord of baby sister 1 1/2 years back saves life of leukaemia-hit brother who is aged 5 now.

THERE have been at least two cases here where parents attempted to save their dying child by having another baby. For little Ryan Foo, who had leukaemia, a precious transfusion of stem cells taken from his sister's umbilical cord when she was born proved a life line.

Now, 18 months later, Ryan enjoys a relatively normal life like any healthy five-year-old, and is believed to be the first child here with leukaemia saved by such a transplant. 
  
Dr Tan Ah Moy of KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), who handled both transplants, said that since Ryan received his gift of stem cells from baby sister Rachel, they have developed into healthy blood cells. These cells have re-populated those in his bone marrow after chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments - to destroy the cancer cells - also killed his immune cells.

Overseas, some have taken this process a step further, with the creation of so-called designer babies, where parents select in-vitro fertilisation embryos that would provide the best genetic match to help a sick brother or sister. 


The number of children dying of cancer has been decreasing steadily over the years, and about eight in 10 are cured, said Dr Tan.

Both cord blood and bone marrow are rich sources of 'unprogrammed' cells that can become all sorts of blood cells. For the 20 or so children a year here who develop severe blood disorders such as leukaemia or thalassaemia, a transplant is the only solution.

A patient who cannot find a match among family members must hope for one from an unrelated donor.

Because they were done earlier, bone marrow transplants outnumber cord blood transplants about seven to one at the hospital, said Dr Tan, the head and senior consultant of KKH's paediatric haematology and oncology services.

She is confident this will change. Cord blood cells, with their relatively immature immune cells, are less likely to attack the transplant patient's own body. This also makes it easier to find a match for cord blood since, unlike bone marrow, it doesn't have to be 100 per cent compatible.
Dr Tan believes the best chance at life for many patients will be the Singapore Cord Blood Bank, which is opening soon. Said its executive director, Dr Fidah Alsagoff: 'This is probably the only chance for certain minority races, which have virtually zero chance of finding a bone marrow match.'



 Information on this page is provided for interest only on a "best efforts" basis and does not 
constitute personal advice. Always discuss medical matters with your doctor.


Source: Straits Times Interactive & Cordlife.com/sg