Cord blood stem cells help meet minority marrow needs

Diana Tirpak, a 68 year old retired nurse from Ohio suffered from leukemia, and her prognosis was looking grim if she did not receive a bone marrow transplant. Leukemia, as well as lymphoma and myeloma, patients usually require a bone marrow transplant, however, they must find a bone marrow donar from a close relative or from a national bone marrow registry. Even if a patient has a close relative that can prodive marrow, there is only a 25% chance of matching. And the national bone marrow registry only covers 60% of Caucasians and only 5 to 15% of minorities. Tirpak was facing death until her physician turned to new research that utilizes the umbilical cord newborns. The umbilical cord is rich in stem cells, which means they are easier to match than bone marrow because they have not yet developed into specialized cells. The treatment time is shorter, lasting about three weeks, as opposed to six to eight weeks like bone marrow transplants. Another patient, Nathan Mumford, an African-American college graduate, was diagnosed with leukemia and could not find a bone marrow match. Instead of continuing chemotherapy, he opted for a cord blood stem cell transplant. These transplants require the patients to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation to supress the body's immune cells and to lower the risk of rejection. The stem cells are then injected into the body, where they travel to the bone marrow cavities and develop into new marrow.

Today, more than 200 hospitals nation-wide accept cord blood donations, which must be acquired immediately after birth and properly stored (via freezing). It is also processed into the national registry for matching to be made. However, one must realize that cord stem cell transplants carry the same risks and complications as bone marrow transplants, and patients undergo months of serious recovery. But if it is a viable option as opposed to death, then most patients would agree it is worth all the risks.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/01/cord.blood.marrow.minorities/index.html

Nathan Poon
VTPP 435-501