Compare stem cell
processing technologies
Could my baby’s cord blood be used more than once?
How can I maximise the number of stem cells available?
Cells4Life’s services are designed to address both:
Multiple Samples
Maximise the number of cells
Clinical guidelines for stem cell transplants are often based on cell count, meaning our objective is to retain as many as we can. Powered by TotiCyte, upgrading to our CellsPlus service provides up to 2.2 times more stem cells relative to our standard service, Cells.*
Why is stem cell processing so important?
The way your baby’s cord blood is processed is crucial, as this is how cord blood banks prepare the sample for storage and ultimately, for use. Stem cell processing can affect the number of cells that are available, the types of stem cells that are available, the size of the sample and the number of times that it can be used. Any one of these factors could determine how effective that sample could be in treatment. Once a sample has been processed, it can’t be reversed, so it is vital that the best method is used.
Could I use my baby’s sample more than once?
Once a cord blood unit has been thawed, it is unlikely that it could be frozen again and still remain sufficiently viable. As a result, each frozen portion of cord blood can be regarded as single use. Most cord blood banks store cord blood in a single unit, or in a single unit and a small reference vial, meaning the sample can only be used for one treatment, no matter how many stem cells it contains.
We are the only cord blood bank in the UK to give you the option to store your baby’s cord blood and tissue in multiple portions. That way, if cell count allows, we can thaw just the amount required for a treatment and leave the remainder safely frozen in storage for potential future therapies.
Will my baby have the maximum number of stem cells processed possible?
The number of cord blood stem cells that your baby has access to can be greatly affected by the processing method that is used.
Most systems lose a large proportion of the cells within a cord blood sample. For some, this is as high as 50% prior to freezing and over 80% post-thaw. Ultimately, you could end up losing the majority of the stem cells within your baby’s sample by the point of treatment.
When choosing a cord blood bank, it is vital that you find out what processing method they use and what percentage of cells will remain when a sample is required for therapy.
We are the only provider in the UK to offer the opportunity to upgrade to the CellsPlus processing service. CellsPlus, which is powered by TotiCyte, delivers up to 2.2x times more cells relative to our standard processing service, Cells, which uses the same processing technology trusted by the NHS: AXP.*
Why is the number of stem cells important?
Depending on the treatment, clinical guidelines will specify the number of cells that a cord blood sample should contain to be considered acceptable for use. This is usually 25 million cells per kilogram of body weight. This means that the more cells available, the heavier the person that sample could be accepted to treat. For example, number of cells could even mean the difference between being able to treat a child and being able to treat an adult.
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* Based on our peer reviewed publication showing that TotiCyte delivers up to 2.2 times more haematopoietic stem cells at the point of use than our next best system, AXP.
