Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family
Dear Future Mom and/or Dad, All of us at CorCell would like to give you a big CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy! Now that you are expecting, you have probably heard about saving your baby s cord blood and cord tissue from your friends, your family or your doctor. You may already know the benefits of cord blood, but what is cord tissue? More importantly, why should you save it alongside cord blood? We hope that this ebook provides you with the information you need to help make your decision. Best Regards, CorCell
About CorCell: CorCell is a private Cord Blood and Cord Tissue Banking Program based out of Las Vegas, NV. We have been saving baby s umbilical cord blood since 1995 because we strongly believe in the healing power, both current and future, contained within these two sources of stem cells. Families trust our commitment to quality and experience, which is why over 25,000 of them bank with us. If you would like to learn more about how cord blood stem cells can potentially save your baby s life, please call us at anytime at 888.882.2673. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Visit our blog Visit our website
Don t Forget to Read Current and future therapies offered by cord blood In-depth look at hematopoietic stem cells and their uses Comprehensive information about adult stem cells How cord blood transplants work And more! Download Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Intro to cord tissue and Mesenchymal Stem Cells.6 Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties 10 How cord tissue may be used in the future......18 Cord tissue banking options. 33 How much does it cost?...37
CHAPTER 1: Intro to Cord Tissue
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Cord Tissue: What is it? When searching for a cord blood bank, you may have noticed that many talk about the virtues of saving cord tissue in addition to cord blood. Cord tissue is the part of the umbilical cord around the blood vessels. This includes: Wharton s Jelly Intervascular Region Perivascular Region Subamniotic Region Amniotic Epithelium Page 7
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Cord Tissue: A Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells In 1966, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, or MSCs, were discovered in bone marrow. Subsequently, MSCs were also found in cord tissue, adipose tissue, the placenta and peripheral blood. Research indicates that these stem cells have the potential to treat medical conditions affecting nerves, cartilage, muscle and more. Mesenchymal Stem Cells are also at the forefront of regenerative medicine, and clinical trials using these cells are showing their potential to treat diseases and possibly grow organs. Page 8
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family So, Why Save Cord Tissue? 1. MSC properties allow them to be an incredibly useful tool in regenerative medicine. 2. Cord Tissue derived stem cells can be cryogenically frozen for storage. 3. Your family will have this resource available for future therapies. FAST FACTS 1995: First clinical trial using MSCs 1 2011: Over 206 clinical trials 1 Page 9
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties: Why they are Useful There are five biologic properties that make MSCs valuable in medicine. 1 Differentiation: What the stem cells can turn into. Multiplicity: The cells can be grown in a lab for multiple uses. Injury Detection: MSCs home to sites of inflammation following tissue injury. Healing Power: These cells give signals that tell the body where the damage is. Immune Privileged Status: MSCs lack immunogenicity, meaning they have the ability to avoid immune systems. Page 10
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties: Differentiation Mesenchymal stem cells form the body s structural and connective tissue. This includes: Nerves Cartilage Tendons Neurons Bone Skin Cells Heart Tissue Smooth Muscle Page 11
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties: Healing Power When MSCs find a site of injury, they secrete bioactive molecules that support growth, such as cytokines and chemokines. 1 These molecules have regeneration-stimulating effects that are able to help cells, such as those found in the heart, improve their functional capabilities. Currently, efficiency is low, but ongoing studies are working to improve this function. Page 12
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties: Multiplicity MSCs are able to be multiplied and grown in a lab under the right conditions. When cryopreserved, they can be unfrozen, multiplied and frozen again. Potential Endless Supply of Stem Cells This means that theoretically, one could grow their existing supply of stem cells, use some for transplant and freeze the rest. Donor Age Affects Multiplicity These stem cells ability to multiply and differentiate decreases with donor age, which is why it is advantageous to store stem cells at birth. Page 13
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties: Injury Detection Various studies show that under a variety of conditions, MSCs selectively gravitate towards areas of injury regardless of tissue. Manipulating MSCs with signals This migration towards injured cells relies on the signals that are given off. These signals can be manipulated to increase the amount of MSCs that go to the injured site. Steering with Magnets Recent studies have also shown that MSCs can be steered using magnets. Magnetized iron oxide nanoparticles can be added to the cells. Mapping MSCs in the Body Not only can MSCs be steered, but their locations in the body can be tracked. MRI monitoring of the engraftment process allows progress to be monitored. Page 14
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties: Immune Privileged Immune Privileged Status: MSCs are able to evade host immune systems through various mechanisms and do not cause an immune-system response when transplanted allogenically, or from a donor. Aiding Transplants: When combined with other types of cells during transplant, such as cord blood stem cells, MSCs can decrease the chances of the body rejecting the cord blood. Therapies for the Family: The immune privileged status of MSCs also mean that, theoretically, the stem cells from one family member can be used to treat the whole family, such as: Page 15
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Baby Because it is his/her own stem cells, your baby is the first person who can benefit from banking their cord tissue. Siblings Siblings are already prime candidates for receiving cord blood, but because of cord tissue stem cell s unique properties, they may be used in siblings as well. Page 16
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Mom and Dad (You!) As we get older, joints wear out and age takes its toll. MSCs saved from your baby s umbilical cord may be a valuable resource should you need them. Grandma and Grandpa The immune-privileged status of MSCs means that grandma and grandpa can also potentially benefit from the regenerative properties of these stem cells. Page 17
CHAPTER 2: How Cord Tissue May Be Used in the Future
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Regenerative Medicine 1 in 3 people will benefit from regenerative medicine 2 Page 19
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Regenerative Medicine Mesenchymal Stem Cells are at the forefront of regenerative medicine. This includes potential treatments for: Skeletal disease and injury Autoimmune and inflammatory disease Heart and vascular disease Gastrointestinal disease Cancer Diabetes Transplant complications Neurological disease and injury Page 20
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family 2014: Cord tissue is in over 200 clinical trials for future therapies. Including: Page 21
Heart Disease Leading cause of death in the United States. 3 Many studies show that MSCs may be able to regenerate and heal heart tissue and heart scar tissue, which can mean use for cardiovascular repair. Delivery of MSCs to the damaged site and the therapies that can come from these cells is ongoing.
Diabetes 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes every year. 4 Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body s own immune system destroys and attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Due to Mesenchymal stem cell s ability to differentiate into different cell types, MSCs may be able to convert into insulin-producing cells. 5 Cord Blood may also treat type 1 diabetes in a different way. Banking cord blood and cord tissue together doubles your chances of having access to a potential future cure.
Arthritis 1 in 2 people may develop knee problems by age 85. 6 1 in 5 Americans report having doctordiagnosed arthritis. 6 Because MSCs form connective tissues, they may be able to rebuild and repair damaged tendons.
Stroke Every year, 795,000 people have a stroke, and of those stricken, over 130,000 people die. 7 Stroke is the 3 rd leading cause of death in the United States. 7 Mesenchymal stem cells may become nerve and blood vessel tissue, they may able to reverse the damage caused by a stroke.
Alzheimer s 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer s or some other form of dementia 8 More than 5 million Americans live with this disease 8 Alzheimer s can be one of the most devastating diseases to ever affect a loved one. Because MSCs can rebuild nerve cells, they may be able to reverse the damage done by Alzheimer s. 9
Joint Injury Age and sports take their toll on our knees, elbows and hands. Because Mesenchymal Stem Cells can differentiate into ligament cells, they may be able to treat these often permanent injuries.
Graft Vs. Host Disease The immune-privileged status of Mesenchymal Stem Cells offers more unique opportunities when it comes to transplants. Studies suggest that MSCs may help improve engraftment when used in conjunction with Hematopoietic Stem Cells from cord blood. 10
Organ Transplant Mesenchymal Stem Cells are showing great promise when it comes to either growing entire organs or helping grow organs. Some of the organs that have been grown so far: Trachea Liver Skin Blood Vessels
Ongoing Clinical Trials by Disease Type 1 Cancer, 8 Lung Disease, 5 Brain Disease, 12 Spinal Cord Injury, 7 Other, 33 Bone/Cartilag e Disease, 37 Graft Versus Host Disease, 22 Heart Disease, 27 Liver Disease, 22 Crohn's Disease, 7 Multiple Sclerosis, 8 Diabetes and related, 18
And More Mesenchymal stem cell uses surface in the news frequently. If you want to keep up to date on their clinical trials, you can find them at clinicaltrials.gov
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Keeping Up to Date At CorCell, we follow and report on the newest breakthroughs in cord blood and cord tissue stem cell research with our blog. You can read it here! Some of our articles: Stem Cell Skin Repair May Soon Be a Treatment Option Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Crohn s Disease: How Cord Tissue Could One Day Treat Painful Bowel Disease Stem Cell Therapy May Help Spinal Cord Injury Victims Page 32
CHAPTER 3: Cord Tissue Banking Options
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Cord Tissue is currently only available at private banks Unfortunately, expecting parents cannot donate their baby s umbilical cord tissue stem cells to a public bank like they can with cord blood. However, private cord blood banks, such as CorCell, do offer this service because of the growing potential these stem cells have. Page 34
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Cord Tissue Options: Saving the Segment Saving the Segment: This refers to collecting a piece of the umbilical cord and freezing it as-is. The cord can then be unfrozen and the Mesenchymal Stem Cells extracted. How it works: Many banks choose this option 80 because it is more cost effective for customers, and other stem cells that can be found in the cord tissue are preserved as well. This method also allows the cord to be stored intact should a new MSC extraction technique be discovered. However, because the entire segment is frozen, the MSCs are not ready for use immediately. CorCell saves the whole cord segment. Page 35
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Cord Tissue Options: MSC Extraction and Expansion Immediate MSC Extraction: This refers to extracting and/or expanding the MSCs before freezing them. There are more stem cells initially, and they are 80 ready for transplant. However, doing extraction up front is more expensive than simply freezing the cord because it is a much more involved process. Page 36
CHAPTER 4: Cord Tissue Pricing Options
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family CorCell Pricing Page 38
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family CorCell Pricing Comparison CorCell s Cord Blood + Cord Tissue combination can save you between $770 and $895 on the enrollment fee and $55/year in storage fees. Page 39
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Save on Cord Tissue Banking with CorCell Get a quote Getting a price quote from CorCell can save you $100 or more. Simply choose a monthly payment that is affordable for you, and we ll do the rest!
Saving Cord Tissue for Your Family Save on Cord Tissue Banking with CorCell Insurance Partners: You may be eligible for preferred pricing depending on your insurance. Find out more here. Military: We recognize the service and sacrifices military families make for our country and freedom. Police and Firefighters: We hold in high regard the service and sacrifice police and firefighters make. Multiple Births: If you are expecting more than one baby, we offer special pricing. Referral Rewards: If a friend referred you to CorCell, you can save $200 on your enrollment fee. If you refer a friend and they become a customer, they will save $200 and you will receive a $200 Visa cash card. Page 41
Cord Tissue 888.882.2673 If you re interested in learning more about how cord tissue can protect your family, call us at 888.882.2673. Enroll Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Visit our blog Visit our website
Know someone who is expecting? Share your knowledge of Cord Tissue and receive $200 for you and $200 in savings for them! Referral Rewards Program Page 43
REFERENCES 1. Wang et al.: Clinical applications of mesenchymal stem cells. Journal of Hematology & Oncology 2012 5:19. Web. 19 December 2013 2. Harris DT. Cord blood stem cells: a review of potential neurological applications. Stem Cell Rev. 2008;4:269-274. Epub August 5, 2008. 3. Kochanek KD, Xu JQ, Murphy SL, Miniño AM, Kung HC. Deaths: final data for 2009 [PDF-2M]. National vital statistics reports. 2011;60(3). 4. Diabetes Public Health Resource. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 25 September 2013. Web. 16 December 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/projects/cda2.htm 5. Anzalone R, Lo Iacono M, Loria T, et al. Wharton s jelly mesenchymal stem cells as candidates for beta cells regeneration: extending the differentiative and immunomodulatory benefits of adult mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Stem Cell Rev. October 23, 2010. 6. Arthritis related statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1 Aug 2011. Web. 16 December 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm 7. Stroke Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 10 December 2013. Web. 16 December 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm 8. Alzheimer s Facts and Figures. Alzheimer s Association. Web. 16 December 2013. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp 9. Affiliated Hospital to Academy of Military Medical Sciences. Safety and Efficiency of Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UC-MSC) in Patients with Alzheimer s Disease (SEMAD). In: ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US). 2000- [cited 2013 Dec 16]. Available from http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/nct01547689 NLM Identifier NCT01547689 10. Battiwalla M; Hematti P. Mesenchymal stem cells in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. 2009. Web. 16 December 2013. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19728189
The Facts about Cord Blood Did we miss something? Please feel free to call us at 888.882.2673 if you have any questions about cord blood and/or cord tissue banking. Our trained team of cord blood and tissue specialists is always more than happy to assist!
Thank You for Reading