If there is a history of a disease in the family, such as leukemia, would it be in the genes? If so, would stem cell transplantation from the cord blood be an effective way to treat the disease?
Leukemia is not present at the beginning of life, but is developed by mutation or change in normal genes later in life. Stem cells in cord blood represent cells before any changes have occurred in their genes. In case of other types of cancers (.g. solid tumors), stem cells are not involved and can be used for transplantation. Recently a case report was published in the journal, Pediatrics, of a 3-year old girl treated for childhood leukemia with her own cord blood transplant. At the time of publication she was doing well and in complete remission 20 months after transplant. It should also be noted that a significant reason to bank a child’s cord blood stem cells is in the event it matches a family member with a disease proven treatable with stem cell therapy.
Related Questions
- If there is a history of a disease in the family, such as leukemia, would it be in the genes? If so, would stem cell transplantation from the cord blood be an effective way to treat the disease?
- If so, would stem cell transplantation from the cord blood be an effective way to treat the disease?
- Are stem cell transplants part of the stem cell research controversy?
