Umbilical cord blood cells are cells that remain in the placenta and its attached umbilical cord after the birth of a baby. This cord blood contains important stem cells that can be harvested for various medical uses, including the treatment of certain childhood cancers. Many conditions that would normally require the use of a bone marrow transplant could benefit greatly from the use of such cells.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the body's white blood cells, those responsible for protecting the body from disease. When a patient has leukemia, some of the white blood cells develop abnormally and then begin to quickly multiply. These abnormal cells are not capable of functioning properly and crowd the bone marrow, interfering with the body's ability to properly form other types of blood cells as well. Umbilical cord blood cells can be used to introduce healthy cells into the body, giving the patient a greater chance at recovery.
Lymphoma is another type of cancer that can be benefited by the use of these cells. This disease begins in the lymphatic system of the body. The lymphatic vessels are responsible for carrying various materials, including proteins, urea, and other other molecules, throughout the body. Lymphoma acts much like leukemia in the body, so using umbilical cord blood can often drastically improve the odds of recovery from this type of cancer.
Patients with a number of other medical conditions could benefit from being given umbilical cord blood cells, include those with immune deficiencies as well as certain types of anemia, and medical research continues to study conditions that may be improved by the use of these cells. Diabetes research suggests that there is promise concerning the use of these stem cells, for example. Scientists are also experimenting to see if certain heart conditions could also benefit.
The stem cells gathered from the placenta and umbilical cord are being studied intensely by geneticists and people who study genetic diseases. There are hopes that these fresh, healthy cells will be able to at least slow the progression of genetic diseases such as polycystic kidney disease. Research also suggests that conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease may be slowed, or perhaps even eventually cured, by their use. Research continues as scientific studies reveal more and more potential opportunities to use umbilical cord blood to improve the quality of life for the many patients.