For healthcare professionals

TWO KIND OF UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELLS

In the umbilical cord, the blood-forming stem cells (hematopoietic) are found in the umbilical cord blood and the connective tissue-forming stem cells (mesenchymal) in the umbilical cord tissue (especially in Wharton’s jelly).

The hematopoietic stem cells can form red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

The mesenchymal stem cells can form muscle, fat, bone, cartilage, tendons as well as affect the immune system. There is hope that these cells can be used to correct heart failure, repair spinal cord defects and be used to restore organs damaged by injury or disease. Furthermore, there is a vast and expanding range of new therapies being researched for degenerative disorders that are currently incurable. The current research show promising result. In addition to current evidence-based umbilical cord blood treatments, a variety of experimental treatments are evaluated in numerous clinical trials, including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer’s and many more.

 

THE UNIQUE PROPERTIES OF UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELLS

Stem cells are unique because they can reproduce themselves by division, while generating more specialized mature cells. By reproducing themselves they retain their immature stage and maintain the level of stem cells in the body. Stem cells can be found in abundance in places like bone marrow and fat tissue, but the younger, more flexible stem cells in the body come from a newborn’s umbilical cord blood and tissue.

In 2010, umbilical cord transplants began to be performed at Rigshospitalet.

 

USE OF UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELLS

Umbilical cord stem cells is being used to treat over 80 serious diseases, such as leukemia and a variety of rare hereditary blood disorders. To date, over 40,000 transplants have been performed with umbilical cord stem cells worldwide. In the treatment of, for example, leukemia, related donors (eg siblings) are used. Sibling donation to treat leukemia is the most common treatment performed with family-stored umbilical cord stem cells.

 

STEM CELL BANKS

Private stem cell banks have been around for more than 25 years. Currently, there are about 200 private stem cell banks worldwide. In countries with private stem cell banks, between 2-5% of expectant parents choose to collect and store stem cells from umbilical cord blood and tissue. There are also around 100 public stem cell banks worldwide. Sweden has a public stem cell bank to which donations can be made. Cellaviva is Sweden’s first private stem cell bank for umbilical cord blood and tissue. Since September 1, 2016, Cellaviva has offered expectant parents to collect umbilical cord stem cells from their newborn baby. The stem cells are frozen in separate cryo tubes in -196 degrees liquid nitrogen, in Cellaviva’s cryotanks, whereby the cells retain their quality and vitality. Cellaviva’s biobank is located in Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Huddinge. Cellaviva is authorized by the Swedish health authorities (IVO) to treat and store stem cells. IVO (Inspectorate for Health and Care) supervises and controls Cellaviva’s biobank.

 

MAJOR FOCUS ON DEVELOPING NEW TREATMENT METHODS WITH STEM CELLS

The number of studies in stem cells for the treatment of diseases have grown explosively in recent years and there is no indication that this trend will subside. Currently, research into the use of these stem cells in the treatment of diabetes, type 1, cerebral palsy (CP) and autism, among others. The preliminary research results are promising. Next Cell Pharma, which is Cellaviva’s parent company, is responsible for and in the process of a double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial where stem cells are used in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Clinical studies investigating the treatment of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer, diseases for the treatment of autoimmune diseases are also current. It is important to emphasize that there are currently few established treatments with mesenchymal stem cells. The parents’ decision to keep these stem cells is thus based on a hope and confidence in medical development.

 

 

CELLAVIVA’S MIDWIFE AT THE BIRTH

To fulfill the great desire of expectant parents to secure their newborn baby’s stem cells, one of Cellaviva’s midwives will be present at birth. This is to be able to collect stem cells from the umbilical cord just after the umbilical cord is cut. Cellaviva’s midwives are trained to handle the collection of stem cells. The birth midwife has no responsibility and no obligation in connection with stem cell collection. Cellaviva’s midwife comes to the birth by agreement with the couple and she will act discreetly and with respect for the birth and the work of the hospitals midwife. Cellaviva’s midwife will gladly be available if the maternity nurse wants it.

 

STEM CELL COLLECTION FROM THE UMBILICAL CORD CAN ONLY HAPPEN ONCE IN LIFE

Expectant parents who want a family storage of stem cells from their child’s umbilical cord have only one chance –  immediately after birth!

Cellaviva’s midwives will therefore do everything possible to create the best conditions for successful collection of stem cells for each and every parent couple.

We are in close contact with each and every one of our expectant parents who want to have stem cells collected with the help of Cellaviva. We aim to be at the birthplace well in advance of birth. We collaborate with the hospital midwife around the umbilical cord and the aftercare phase. We ensure safe and fast transport of the cells to the laboratory. We work with very high quality standards in all our procedures to ensure a useful family storage.

 

INTERESTED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

We find great interest in stem cell collection, storage and research from healthcare professionals when we are out collecting stem cells for expectant parents in the birthing room. We really want to tell you more about what we do when we are in the delivery room and about the use of umbilical cord stem cells.

We like to talk to the health care professional when we are at the birth center and everyone is very welcome to contact Cellaviva for more information in the way and time frame that is best for the medical department. It can be in the form of a evening meeting, a short morning meeting in the midwife consultation, a letter of information to the department, an information meeting for interested parties on an agreed day or in some other way that best suits the department/staff.

You are always welcome to contact Cellaviva’s midwives by phone: 89 88 02 88 or e-mail: info@cellaviva.dk