FAQ

Cord blood, also referred to as “placental blood”, is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and the placenta following the delivery and cord separation. It is considered an invaluable and rich source of stem cells, which are genetically unique. Until recently it has been considered “waste” and discarded together with placenta and the umbilical cord.

Stem cells are the primitive multipotential cells with the potential to self-renew, differentiate and give rise to all types of cells forming human organism e.g. nervous, bone, muscle, blood tissues. The cord blood contains also hematopoietic stem cells with the potential to differentiate into:

• Red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to all body cells
• White blood cells involved in combating infection
• Blood platelets enhancing coagulation process

Nowadays stem cells are used primarily for therapy transplantations in patients who underwent intensive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, as a means of annihilating cancerous cells. Unfortunately chemo and radiotherapy eradicate both neoplastic cells and healthy stem cells located in bone marrow. In order to restore the patient’s hematopietic system and regenerate his immune system, stem cell transplantation is applied. The transplanted cells find their way to the bone marrow where they proliferate and give rise to new blood cells and regenerate the immune system.

Research studies conducted on stem cells are highly promising. The latest findings reveal that:

• Stem cells derived from cord blood have a chance to be used in Alzheimer and Parkinson disease treatment,
• Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into muscle tissues which may one day be used in cardiac disorders treatment,
• Clinical trials on stem cell transplantation for hereditary and immune disorder therapy are underway.

Yes, if this form of therapy is medically justifiable and the tissues are sufficiently matched between the donor and the recipient. There is a 25% probability that sibling tissue antigens are fully matched.

Yes. Many experimental results provide evidence that stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood are more primitive, less developed, have a greater proliferation dynamic compared with adult stem cells retrieved from the bone marrow or peripheral blood. Freezing prevents cord blood stem cells from the process of ageing and protects them against defects which affect them in later stages of life. In general they are free from cancerous cells which form in later stages of cell life due to external environmental factors.

The donor- recipient match of the bone marrow is extremely difficult as in general a perfect match is required. Cord stem cells are valued for their immunological immaturity which in turn results in a reduced amount of complications for the recipient (for allogeneic transplantation this means a less pronounced risk of rejection and ‘graft versus host disease’ expression). They can be used even if not fully compatible. This means that cord blood storage maximises the chances of positive transplantation outcomes among family members. A number of research studies indicate that survival rate as a result of cord blood transplantation among related donors is nearly two times higher as opposed to unrelated donors. Other reasons why cord blood is superior to bone marrow in transplantology

 • Immediate stem cell availability in cases of emergency – they are harvested and stored prior to their use • Reduced probability of ‘graft vs host disease’ incidence (Graft versus Host Disease, GvHD).

Until 2011 more than 25 000 cord blood transplants were performed both in children and adults. In numerous cases cord blood was used for the benefit of the donor’s siblings. Over the last two years studies have revealed that cord blood stem cell have the capacity to differentiate into another type of cell e.g. muscle or nerve cells. Stem cells regenerative properties are currently the topical issue dominating the field of regenerative medicine. Stem cells were recognized as an invaluable biological material. More and more research studies  are committe to fathoming stem cells’ full potential which could be applied in future to treat conditions such as: Alzheimer’s diseas, diabetes, cardiac and liver disorders, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries and strokes.

‘Graft versus host disease’ occurs when the transplanted lymphocytes from the donor, responsible for immunological reactions, function as previously programmed and recognize the recipient’s cells as enemy cells. The donor’s lymphocytes annihilate the recipient’s cells. The annihilation process affects virtually all recipient’s cell types. Short life cycle cells such as epithelium and selected parenchymatous organs are the cells most vulnerable to the attack. As a result this condition is characterized by syndromes specific to epithelium damages (rashes, urticaria, dry patches and skin and epithelium desquamation e.g. of the digestive tract = diarrhoea). This condition is acute and resistant to treatment. The reactions are far less intense in case of cord blood transplants as the cord blood cells are immunologically “naïve”.

The match refers to proteins called HLA antigens which reside on the surface of white blood cells and other human cells. They determine the tissue compatibility between the donor and the recipient. Although complete compatibility is optimal, studies have revealed that cord blood transplantations result in a positive outcome even if the match is not perfect. Stem cells derived from cord blood are characteristic for being less mature, immunologically more „naive” as opposed to stem cells retrieved from bone marrow.

The first transplantation was performed in 1988. Since that time over 25 000 transplants were conducted (as of 2011). Collection and storage facilities have become more available by the end of 1995. Nowadays thousands of parents are beneficiaries of the unique lifetime opportunity.

Cord blood is harvested from the umbilical cord following the delivery and cord severance. The procedure is simple and painless, noninvasive and does not interfere with the course of the delivery.

Cord blood is drawn  into collection bag filled with preservative fluid (CPD) an anticoagulant thanks to which there is sufficient time to deliver the blood to the laboratory and process it.

No. Cord blood is harvested only after the child’s delivery and cord severance. Collection takes approximately 5 minutes. It is painless, simple and safe both for the mother and the child.

No. Upon signing the agreement parents are equipped with “collection kit” which contains all relevant components for their child’s cord blood collection. Remembering to bring the collection kit with them to the hospital at the time of delivery is their only responsibility

In the event of Ceasarean section the blood is collected directly after placenta expulsion. Medical studies indicate that the blood volumes drawn at vaginal or cesarian section delivery are comparable.

PBKM S.A. performs tests on both maternal (the blood is harvested at delivery approx. 9 ml) and the child’s umbilical cord blood. Maternal blood is tested for viral and bacterial infections. Naturally these tests could be performed on the sample of the collected cord blood but this could be a waste of the 9 ml of cord blood. Maternal blood test results provide sufficiently veritable information. Cord blood is tested for the following factors:

• white blood cell count, • cell viability assessment, • microbiological testing for the presence of aerobic, anaerobic and fungi bacteria.

Maternal blood is tested for the following components (9 ml): • HBs Ag, • Anty-HBc • Anty-HCV, • Anty-HIV 1,2, • Anty-CMV IgM, • syphilis test.

It is theoretically assumed that deeply frozen stem cells ( -150 °C ) can be stored  for centuries. In practice, we base our knowledge on the findings made by Japanese scientists who tested stem cell viability frozen in 1973. These studies support the hypothesis that the defrosted cells have the potential to proliferate and to form colonies. Current findings substantiate the theory that cord blood stem cells preserved for 24 years still maintain their properties.

No, as it is not mandatory for routine procedures. Individual stem cell banking relies on the principle that the donor and the recipient is the same organism. Naturally, in case the stem cells are intended for therapeutic use by siblings or other family members, it is required for the stem cells to be tested for tissue compatibility. To this end a small vial is attached to each frozen container which when the need arises is retrieved and subjected to testing (for tissue compatibility).

Upon signing the agreement with the Polish Stem Cell Bank we provide a unique identification number which marks all components of the collection kit and the documentation. This excludes any mistakes or erroneous swaps.

If the patient whose stem cells are stored in PBKM S.A. is diagnosed with a condition amendable to stem cell treatment, it is essential to inform your doctor about stem cell supply stored in the bank. The decision to apply them for therapeutic use is at the doctor’s discretion. Upon the decision to transplant the stem cells the doctor in charge should get in touch with us to discuss the details of biological material procurement and provision of the necessary medical documentation. The parents should contact a member from the Customer Service Department in order to request relevant documentation such as the certificate of stem cell deposit with PBKM S.A. Upon submitting the adequate documentation and determining the details of stem cell procurement with the doctor in charge, the material will be delivered to the designated centre/hospital for further use in therapy.

Two options for cord blood banking are available:

• In a family bank such as the Polish Stem Cell Bank for autologous or allogeneic transplantation for related donors. 
• In public banks for allogeneic transplantations for unrelated recipients – whereby the parents abandon their rights to the blood, and the donation is altruistic. PBKM facilitates blood collection in these instances in selected hospitals. http://www.pbkm.pl/bankowanie-publiczne

Every parent has the freedom to choose whether to donate their child’s blood to a public bank or to secure the blood for the exclusive use or their children and family.

This ensures that cord blood stem cells can be used for therapy treatment in any given moment dismissing the necessity to search for donors, which is a costly, time-consumming and a risky procedure and does not guarantee a positive outcome. Early treatment minimises the progress of the disease and boosts chances for complete recovery.

* The likelihood of using cord blood is estimated on the basis of the average life duration of 70 years.

Below is a list of the basic legal documents regulating our bank’s activity:

Three European Directives:
 

Dyrektywa Komisji 2004/23/WE

Dyrektywa Komisji 2006/17/WE

Dyrektywa Komisji 2006/86/WE

And Act:

Ustawa transplantacyjna z 01.07.2005.pdf

The Polish Stem Cell Bank due to a broad range of performed procedures and services and because of the need to adapt to the highest standards of quality is following many legal regulations. The most important are given below:

Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia w sprawie wzoru dokumentu Prawo wykonywania zawodu diagnosty laboratoryjnego z 16.07.2004.pdf

Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia zmieniające rozporządzenie w sprawie standardów jakości dla medycznych laboratoriów diagnostycznych i mikrobiologicznych z 21.01.2009.pdf

Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia zmieniające rozporządzenie w sprawie wymagań, jakim powinno odpowiadać medyczne laboratorium diagnostyczne z 28.12.2009.pdf

Ustawa o działalności lecznicznej z 15.04.2011.pdf

Ustawa o ochronie danych osobowych z 29.08.1997 - zmiany od 01.01.2012.pdf

Ustawa o zmianie ustawy o diagnostyce laboratoryjnej oraz zmianie innych ustaw z 28.08.2003.pdf

Ustawa o zmianie ustawy o pobieraniu, przechowywaniu i przeszczepianiu komórek, tkanek i narządów oraz zmienie ustawy Przepisy wprowadzające Kodeks Karny z 17.07.2009.pdf

Ustawa o odpadach z dnia 27 kwietnia 2001 r. z późniejszymi zmianami.

Ustawa Prawo ochrony środowiska z dnia 27 kwietnia 2001 r. z późniejszymi zmianami