Advances in immunology, regenerative medicine, and genomic research have stimulated an unprecedented surge in adult stem cell research. There are over 700 adult stem cell therapeutic clinical trials in progress in the U.S. alone. As these therapies are approved, there will be a tremendous demand for adult stem cells. Public stem cells banks store processed cord blood which is made available
after matching for allogeneic transplants (refers to using cells from others).
If everyone in the U.S. were to need - or want - only one stem cell therapeutic treatment there would only be enough stem cells
for 5%
of the population today. Even if the government
doubled their funding
for public adult stem cell banking it would
take over 5 years
to build
up a supply for 10 % of the population.
Note: for
some
diseases it
is
necessary to use allogeneic cells as the DNA in your own cells
is defective and may result in a relapse of the condition for which you are being treated.
The only way to assure that you have a supply of adult stem cells when you need them is to bank your own and your family's autologous cells (your own personal cells). Not only does this assure you of a source - it assures you of a match.
When stem cell banks look for a "match" for a stem cell transplant they are only looking to match 6 key points on the stem cells to your cells. Beyond that, there is little likelihood that you will find the dozens of additional similarities that are important. That is why a patient who has an allogeneic transplant - the cells of others - must take immunosuppressant drugs to minimize the risk of rejection and Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD); an overwhelming and devastating immunological reaction where the alien cells transplanted mount an attack on the body. The reaction can be chronic or acute and can be fatal. For more information on Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) visit http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic893.htm
Generally your cells will have to be proliferated or multiplied to achieve therapeutic levels. There are a variety
of approaches for doing that today inside or outside of the body - with many more being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials.
Where applicable, the most natural and effective therapies will use your own autologous cells as the basis for truly personalized treatment for disease and increasingly to sustain and improve vitality as you age.
Bioinsurance - Banking your stem cells and your family's stem cells is becoming as important as health and life insurance.
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