Frans Kuypers
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Scientists in California have discovered that the discarded placentas of healthy newborns provide a much more abundant source of stem cells than umbilical cord blood.
According to the new study, the stem cells in placentas can be safely extracted for transplantation.
Furthermore, it is highly likely that placental stem cells, like umbilical cord blood and bone marrow stem cells, can be used to cure chronic blood-related disorders such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and leukemia.
The study, led by Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland (Calif.) scientists Frans Kuypers, Ph.D., and Vladimir Serikov, Ph.D., The doctors and their team made the discoveries by harvesting term placentas from healthy women undergoing elective Cesarean sections.
“Yes, the stem cells are there; yes, they are viable; and yes, we can get them out,” Kuypers said.
Using stem cells from umbilical cord blood, Children’s Hospital Oakland physicians have cured more than 100 children with chronic blood-related diseases through their sibling donor cord blood transplantation program, which began in 1997.
However, according to the American Cancer Society, each year at least 16,000 people with serious blood- related disorders are not able to receive the bone marrow or cord blood transplant they need because they can’t find a match.
Kuypers said that even when a patient receives a cord blood transplant, there may not be enough stem cells in the umbilical cord to successfully treat their disorder.
Placentas, however, contain several times more stem cells than umbilical cord blood.
“The greater supply of stem cells in placentas will likely increase the chance that an HLA (human leukocyte antigen) matched unit of stem cells engrafts, making stem cell transplants available to more people. The more stem cells, the bigger the chance of success,” said Kuypers.
Kuypers and Serikov have also developed a patent-pending method that will allow placental stem cells to be safely harvested and made accessible for transplantation.
The process involves freezing placentas in a way that allows them to later be defrosted and suffused with a compound that enables the extraction of viable stem cells.
The method will make it possible for companies to gather, ship and store placentas in a central location.
“We’re looking for a partnership with industry to get placenta-derived stem cells in large quantities to the clinic,” Kuypers said.
He said that much more research and grant funding are needed to explore the maximum potential of this latest discovery.
“Someday, we will be able to save a lot more kids and adults from these horrific blood disorders.”
The study is published in the July 2009 issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Contact: Frans Kuypers, 510-450-7620, fkuypers@chori.org
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