As stem cells continue to throw new promises of treatment and cure, one area that has been of concern and excitement is that of cord blood banking. Cord blood is one of the sources of stem cells which are believed by some to be the best source of stem cells that are pluripotent (can develop into any cell type or tissue). Cord blood derived stem cells are immuno naïve (can be used for anyone) and also contain early stage immune cells. The fact that there are over 23 million births every year in India turns cord blood into a potential source or bank of stem cells.

At present, cord blood is used for over 85 conditions related to blood immune problems and is hoped to be useful for regenerative treatment in future. From cord blood alone, over 20 different organ based tissues for diseases have been developed. It is being tried in a Type 1 diabetes trial in the US. They have been made to differentiate into pancreatic tissues producing insulin and its precursor. Elsewhere they have differentiated into neural cells.
All this points to a need to encourage blood banking wherein a match can be obtained fast. However, the dangers are of many unscrupulous players peddling false hopes of cure and that is why there has been a call for regulation of cord blood banks. Clamping of the cord in a hurry and removal of the cord blood before time can damage the newborn.

The stem cell guidelines of the government have still to be made into an Act. Meanwhile, one can only hope that standards are high. In this regard, LifeCell, one among the two players in cord blood banking in the country, has been granted the AABB Accreditation. AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) is an international non-profit body dedicated to developing the highest standards in blood and cord blood banking, transfusion medicine and cellular therapy. This accreditation has been granted following an intensive on-site assessment by AABB.

The accreditation assessment includes stem cell processing, cryo-preservation records, document control, inspection and testing, training of lab technicians, sample identification and traceability and verification of cord blood units when released from storage. Deccan Herald spoke to Abhay Kumar, Vice Chairman, LifeCell, on the subject. Excerpts:

Do stem cells from cord blood multiply when collected? There is a thinking that they don't and hence the small amounts collected from the cord will be insufficient for any significant use later.

Hematopoietic stem cells cannot multiply in the blood after collection and require the bone marrow environment to do so. However, since cord blood stem cells will populate the bone marrow of the recipient after transplantation, they can multiply there and produce blood cells

What are the risks and uncertainties involved?
Cord blood transplantation involves the transfer of the donor sample directly to the blood stream of the recipient. Cord blood is injected through the vein of a recipient during transplantation. The blood cells of the donor are essentially replacing the blood cells of the recipient. This procedure is similar to bone marrow transplants.
Bone marrow stem cells, when infused intravenously, populate the recipient's bone marrow and produce new blood cells. So the stem cells present in the bone marrow or cord blood has a natural tendency of "homing" to the bone marrow, repopulating it and producing new blood cells. Such a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a fairly routine procedure.

Can it be misused?
LifeCell offers private stem cell banking and therefore the right to access the stored stem cells lies only with the parents of the child under an official request from the doctor/ hospital where the therapy is proposed to be done. With the AABB accredition, our standards of collection, processes, testing, storage and all related functions are under strict documentation and vigilance. Hence there is no possibility of misuse of the banked stem cells.

How many have so far banked with you?
At LifeCell, we currently have over 10,000 samples banked with us from across India and other countries. We have a wide network of over 30 centres spread across domestic and international locations.
What are the costs like?

We have various plans to suit our customers' requirements and profile. We offer our services for a fixed and transparent price. For domestic customers the initial enrolment and storage fee for the first year is Rs.41,100/- with annual storage fee or Rs. 3,500 for subsequent years. We also offer a one-time storage fee for 21 years, which is optional. We offer various payment options for these plans.

Customers from GCC countries can store the stem cells for a one time plan of US $ 2500 for a period of 21 years.

Are you undertaking any research?
LifeCell has set-up TRICell - its first Stem Cell Centre in association with Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai for therapy and clinical research. TRICell was recently inaugurated by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. TRICell Stem Cell Centre will be able to introduce the concept of regenerative medicine and will remain the clinical platform for all future stem cell related work and therapies at affordable costs.