What kinds of advancements have been made with cord blood stem cells?
In 1988 the odds of being diagnosed by the age of 50 with a disease currently treatable with cord blood stem cells was 1 in 300,000 and the number of diseases treatable with cord blood was one. Today, the calculated probability of being diagnosed could be as high 1 in 100 and the number of treatable diseases is over forty* *Statistics based on Abt Associates Clinical Trials 2004 UCB study. Estimates reflect an upper limit on the probability of using a cord blood graft. Not all patients with a disease treatable with cord blood stem cells will qualify for transplant. Lifetime probability is 1 in 27. Currently, using unmanipulated stem cells derived from a single cord as a sole treatment option will likely not be adequate to treat an adult patient.
In 1988 the odds of being diagnosed by the age of 50 with a disease currently treatable with cord blood stem cells was 1 in 300,000 and the number of diseases treatable with cord blood was one. Today, the calculated probability of being diagnosed with a disease that is currently treatable with cord blood stem cells could be as high 1 in 217 and the number of treatable diseases is over 70.
