Stem cell therapy is a breakthrough in modern regenerative medicineIt's not a miracle cure, but certainly a technology that offers hope against many diseases. There are many unanswered questions, but stem cells are certainly a breakthrough in modern regenerative medicine. The last one year has seen many couples preserving cord blood stem cells for future disease management of not just the child, but also the siblings and other family members as well. Nods Hridesh Jaiswal, centre head of of Life Cell International, a pioneer in the concept of umbilical cord blood stem cell banking in India, which has been in Chandigarh since 2005. Since the last one year, mentions Jaiswal, there have been various awareness campaigns regarding the technology, with doctors, counsellors educating to-be parents of various benefits. “We have seen a spurt in the number of people going in for saving the cord blood cells for future use,’’ adds Jaiswal.According to doctors of Life Cell, stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into a variety of cells and their main potential lies in the ability to generate cells and tissues. Stem cells can also be directed to differentiate into specific cell types, thereby offering possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues. Across the world, stem cell transplants have been used since the ‘60s to treat a variety of blood diseases such as leukaemia, inherited immune system disorders, plasma cell disorders and other blood-related disorders. Possibilities, adds Dr R S Bedi, exist in treating spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. “The success is ongoing and its benefits are mostly for acquired diseases,’’ explains Dr Bedi, who confirms that with time, research will yield better results. Dr Mahesh Hirandani feels the technology should not be presented as a miracle cure for the present and future. “Companies must ensure that people get a clear and true picture of the disease which can be managed with this, the role of genetics, what it cannot cure et al,’’ says the pediatrician. For new and proud parents Natasha and Hitesh Roy, saving cord blood stem cells for their daughter was not a tough decision. The two had read up on the option and also discussed it with their pediatrician, who gave them an honest view. “I know that right now the technology is developing and we are not sure how many disease it will protect the child against, it’s all new, but we are sure that technology will only get better and we are going to benefit from this amazing breakthrough,’’ smiles Natasha.Cord blood stem cells are not just for the child but can be of use to the entire family, with siblings having a 25 per cent chance of being a suitable match. Banking umbilical cord blood stem cells is a life-saving alternate to bone marrow transplants. “The procedure is simple, at the time of the child’s birth, the cord blood is collected and taken to the cord blood stem cell bank for testing and processing to harvest stem cells. The stem cells are preserved for potential medical use in the future. Whenever the stem cells are required for therapy they can approach the bank,’’ explains Jaiswal. “It’s a promising technology and in my opinion, more useful for community banking and we need to wait and watch for the technology to grow,’’ says Dr Umesh Jindal, an infertility expert.
