The Power of Banking it All: Americord Biobanking Services

Within the last twenty years, the medical field has rapidly advanced. New treatments and possibilities emerge every day. More recently, newborn stem cell therapy has become a focused area of study with 100s of clinical trials actively ongoing. Private biobanking services offer families the ability to harness their child’s own stem cells and cellular messengers for use in the continuous medical advancements.

At Americord, we offer four distinct private biobanking services:

• Cord Blood Banking
• Cord Tissue Banking
• Placental Tissue Banking
• Exosome Banking

Each service has its unique characteristics and holds immense value in various medical applications. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences, benefits, and the future of medicine for each biobanking service.

Cord blood banking involves the collection and preservation of stem cells found in a baby’s umbilical cord. Immediately following the birth of your baby, the umbilical cord is clamped – this is when the blood collection takes place. This leftover blood is rich in Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), which are valuable because they have the ability to become any type of blood cell or blood component in the human body.

These stem cells have been FDA-approved to treat over 80 conditions and diseases, making them a valuable resource for current and future medical use. From leukemia to inherited genetic disorders, cord blood stem cells have already transformed the lives of many. Clinical trials have also shown potential for treating conditions like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Diabetes using cord blood stem cells. By banking cord blood, your family is taking a step to invest in the future of stem cell medicine and provide a potential lifeline for your child’s health, or another family member.

Cord tissue banking focuses on harvesting the stem cells from the tissue layer of the umbilical cord. Unlike cord blood, cord tissue contains Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) found in Wharton’s jelly. These MSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate into various cell types, leading to the formation of skin, bone, cartilage, nerve, and muscle tissues. Cord tissue also contains growth factors and cytokines, allowing for even more healing power.

Cord tissue stem cells are currently being studied in numerous clinical trials, holding the potential for treatments in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Some of these clinical trials include studies for Alzheimer’s, Autism, Parkinson’s, and General Surgery.

Placental tissue banking is the process of collecting the placenta following birth, then storing its stem cells for future use. The placenta, known for protecting the baby in the womb, holds incredible therapeutic potential. The placental membrane consists of two layers: amnion and chorion. Cryopreserving both layers multiplies treatment opportunities for your baby, yourselves, their siblings, and even grandparents.

While placental tissue is not FDA-approved for treatment, it has been successfully used for over a century in wound healing and burn treatments. Ongoing clinical trials further explore its potential in various medical applications. Some of these clinical trials include studies for Autoimmune diseases, Cancer, and Neurological disorders.

By banking cord blood, cord tissue, and placental tissue, your family creates more possibilities for potential treatment. Each of these perinatal tissues holds different stem cells, meaning that access to all three would give your family the most healing power.

Exosomes, which are small extracellular vesicles, play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication. Measuring only 30-150 nanometers in diameter, exosomes carry a diverse array of proteins, RNA, DNA, and lipids. The composition of exosomes depends on the originating cell type and can regulate immune responses, wound healing, and cell growth and development.

While there are currently no FDA-approved exosome treatments, ongoing research and over 100 clinical trials investigate their potential in diverse medical applications.

By choosing to bank them all — cord blood, cord tissue, placental tissue, and exosomes — you provide your child with a comprehensive biological safety net, ready to support their health and well-being in ways we are just beginning to imagine. Investing in these remarkable resources is a testament to your unwavering dedication to your child’s future and may unlock the door to life-changing medical advancements that can shape generations to come.

Each of these biobanking services offers your family a different benefit and as time progresses and research continues advancing, the treatment potential continues to increase.

The field of biobanking services holds immense potential for the future of medicine. Each service contributes unique resources and capabilities to drive medical advancements.

• Cord blood banking continues to expand the treatment potential of stem cells, with ongoing research focused on addressing a wide range of diseases and conditions.
• Cord tissue banking, with its multipotent MSCs, holds promise for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering breakthroughs.
• Placental tissue banking offers a wealth of treatment opportunities, and ongoing clinical trials aimed to unlock its full potential.
• Exosome banking, while still in the early stages of exploration, shows promise in revolutionizing cell-to-cell communication and opening new avenues for medical interventions.

Americord is proud to offer a suite of health-focused services. We are dedicated to helping your family live a longer, healthier life. Cord blood banking, cord tissue banking, placental tissue banking, and exosome banking each possess their own unique benefits, creating a variety of uses now and in the future. By understanding the differences and benefits of each service, your family can make informed decisions about banking your baby’s biological resources and helping them lead a healthier life.

References:

• Americord. (n.d.). Cord Blood Banking. 
• Americord. (n.d.). Cord Tissue Banking. 
• Americord. (n.d.). Placental Tissue Banking.
• Americord. (n.d.). Exosome Banking. 
• Americord (n.d.). Should I Bank Cord Blood, Cord Tissue, and Placenta Tissue? 
• National Library of Medicine. (n.d.) Hematopoietic Stem Cells. 
• National Library of Medicine. (n.d.) Umbilical Cord Blood: Information for Childbirth Educators. 

Disclaimer

Americord acknowledges that exosomes are not FDA-approved for use in treatments or products. Americord does not claim exosomes have any current therapeutic benefit. The client understands that they bank their child’s exosomes for use in clinical trials and research which may provide utility in the future. Exosome banking is not available to California residents.

The views, statements, and pricing expressed are deemed reliable as of the published date. Articles may not reflect current pricing, offerings, or recent innovations.