Stem Cell
Insider

Gamida Cell received FDA approval for its allogeneic cell therapy, Omisirge: a new expanded cord blood cell source for stem cell transplantation.Omisirge may increase access to stem cell transplants, including among patients from diverse backgrounds.

The work of Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg and her colleagues at Duke University aims to bring novel cord blood and cord tissue-based cellular therapies to the clinic. Per the license agreement, additional patients will be provided access to cord blood and cord tissue treatments under Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) currently held by Duke at a forthcoming Cryo-Cell stem cell infusion clinic, expected to open in early 2022.

Bone marrow MSCs, adipose tissue MSCs, umbilical cord MSCs and mononuclear cells have long been used in transplantations for a wide array of treatments. Umbilical cord blood and cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are undergoing several clinical trial phases to test the safety and efficacy for use in infusions for patients with low back pain (LBP), intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD), and spinal cord injury (SCI).

Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg was present at the annual Cryo-Cell International conference to deliver news of her latest work on cell expansion technologies and to share success stories of former cord blood transplant patients. 

Sibling-directed donation has been implemented in numerous successful cord blood transplantations, and families should be advised of the many benefits associated with preserving each of their children’s umbilical stem cells. In this article, we will highlight five specific benefits.

Stem cells obtained from cord blood and cord tissue are being utilized in regenerative medicine for a varying host of conditions. The most recent research indicates promising results for the treatment of neurological disorders, immune deficiencies, perinatal brain injuries, as well as degenerative diseases, and skin abnormalities.

In HLA-matched transplants, younger donor age was the only factor reliably associated with patient survival. Other secondary selection characteristics included sex, ethnicity, the presence of cytomegalovirus and non-HLA and HLA genetic factors. Several factors are believed to inhibit the proper functioning of stem cells as the donor ages, making the young stem cells in cord blood a beneficial source when HLA-matching is equal.

Ex vivo expansion has the potential to greatly increase the use of cord blood stem cells as a standard treatment. A growing number of studies are looking at various methods of expanding cord blood stem cells, and a number of these studies are in the second and third phases, suggesting that ex vivo expansion protocols are proving safe, effective and feasible.

For everyone other than pregnant moms, the Zika virus poses only a small risk. It’s a much more serious situation for expecting moms, regardless of which trimester they are in. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. When it comes to preserving cord blood during the time that people are worried  about Zika spreading, Cryo-Cell International has taken  extensive precautions to ensure safe storage of all units.

Stem cells derived from cord tissue are increasingly being utilized in regenerative medicine for a wide range of conditions. The latest research points to the critical importance of storing the cord tissue pieces rather than enzymatic digestion before cryopreservation to maximize the likelihood of use.