Several clinical studies have clearly demonstrated the benefits of stem cells. Peer-reviewed medical journals today are intent on finding theΒ richest source of stem cells in the human body. Researchers have found that umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells, which eventually paved the way for researchers to move away from the controversial embryonic stem cells. As a result of these trials, it was discovered that the placenta, which is usually discarded post-delivery, is also a very rich source of adult stem cells. Some papers have even suggested that the placenta may hold more stem cells than even cord blood. Placental Cells also have relatively weak surface antigens so they may be used in a wide variety of potential patients. Placenta derived cells can be banked just like cord blood and they are multipotent adult adult cells, so they are easier to control and manipulate for therapeutic use.
The placental stem cells are usually harvested from traditional birthing or from healthy mothers who choose to have elective Caesarean section.
Placenta-derived stem cells are mostly mesenchymal stromal cells, which differ from the blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells found in umbilical cord blood “UCB” and bone marrow. Blood disorders such as leukemia, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, which is very prevalent in Thailand, are treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplants, and placental cells are not an established treatment for them.
Stem Cells and Blood Disorders
Stem cells are essentially blank cells that are void of any particular characteristic or function up until they undergo the actual transformation. They could turn into a red blood cell, brain cell,skin cell or muscle cell, or retain their own identity as stem cells.
Umbilical cord blood transplants are an established treatment for a number of serious blood disorders, and many transplants come from matched sibling donors. Placenta-derived cells are not an established transplant source for blood disorders. Some patients still cannot find a suitable donor, especially those with a rare tissue (HLA) type.
Other diseases treated with human placenta derived stem cells Include:
- Ataxia
- Diabetes Type 2
- Congestive Heart Failure
- COPD
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Kidney Disease
- Liver Disease
Umbilical Cord Vs. Placenta Derived
As mentioned earlier, clinical research has has shown that the placenta contains more stem cells than the umbilical cord. This is one of the major reasons why many doctors believe that placental cells are more valuable to bank for future use. The HLA (human leukocyte antigen) type of banked cells is fixed by the donor, so a larger supply of cells does not improve the chance of an HLA match for stem cell transplants.
Thai doctors are very positive in their outlook with regard to treating blood disorders since the discovery of placental stem cells. Many hope that new cell sources will eventually reduce the burden of treating serious blood diseases. Today, stem cell transplants for blood disorders are themselves intensive procedures with serious risks, and the right treatment depends on the specific disease and the patient.
With stem cell transplants, the approach is much more natural because doctors are making use of natural human resources. Regenerative medicine is not a 100% solutions for all medical conditions and more research is still needed to determine the true capacity of stem cells in being the ultimate treatment for many traditionally fatal diseases.
Stem Cell Harvesting and Transplantation
Placenta-derived stem cells is very non-invasive and placental cells may be harvested safely to be stored indefinitely via stem cell banking or made available for use is other stem cell regeneration center treatments. Biologists are also looking into the possibility ofΒ cryogenically freezing the entire placenta and “defrosting” it later in time of medical emergency. After which time, stem cell extraction is performed with the aid of a special compound that enables viable stem cells to be separated. These techniques are still experimental but hold a lot of promise for helping humans eventually end some terminal conditionsΒ such as Blood disorders which continue to plague millions of women,men and children around the world.
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