Umbilical Cord Blood Can Cure Type 1 Diabetes, Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy

New potentials for using blood found in the umbilical cord of newborns to treat a range of diseases according to researchers. Scientists study whether cord blood or cord tissues can treat certain autoimmune disorders such as Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as congenital heart disease and cerebral palsy. Though there could be signs of hope, more studies are needed to prove whether cord blood is safe and effective for these uses.



"The early data look very promising that this could be a useful new source of cells that could benefit a larger number of people," said John Wagner, a professor of pediatrics and director of the blood and marrow transplant program at the University of Minnesota.

Cord blood is found in the placenta and umbilical cord of newborns, and contains stem cells, general-purpose cells that can proliferate and generate more specialized cells. Hematopoietic stem cells, which are similar to stem cells found in bone marrow, are one of the researchers' areas of focus. Cord-blood transplants replenish the hematopoietic stem cells that are destroyed by chemotherapy and radiation given to people with certain leukemias, lymphomas and other diseases.

Further, cord blood can be collected with no risk to the mother or child and can be frozen and stored for many years. Bone marrow must be extracted from a donor in an invasive procedure. It has been the standard option for stem-cell transplants, but cord blood is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative in certain cases. "It's a disposable item that Mother Nature provides us with," said William Shearer, a professor of pediatrics and immunology at Baylor College of Medicine. "It's a renewable source. It's free and why not use it?" Cord blood doesn't need to be as exact a match as bone marrow, making it easier for unrelated donors and recipients.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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