I was delighted when I saw this article in the news last week describing how a 3 year old girl diagnosed with leukemia was saved with her own cord blood stem cells 3 years ago (making her a "thriving six-year-old" today).
Despite the article's brevity, there were a few important messages which I feel are important to emphasize:
1. This was the first time in the world where a child used its own cord blood stem cells for treatment
(As the number of bankers increase with time, so will the chances of applications for one condition or another)
2. The pediatric oncologist Dr. Ammar Hayani, commended the foresight of her parents who decided to save the cord blood stem cells in case of a future need.
I wish more doctors in Malaysia felt this way too
3. The doctor had conducted a search for bone marrow matches within the family but was without success.
Upon weighing up the risks of using an unrelated donor's stem cells with the risks of lifelong complications, they decided to use her own cord blood stem cells banked in 1999.
4. The successful transplant also removes the misconception that the collection of cord blood for autologous transplantation in the treatment of childhood leukemia was not possible.
Many doctors have the common misconception that pediatric cases of leukemia should not use their own cord blood stem cells for treatment. However, they often overlook the fact that the risks have to be balanced with its benefits- and if waiting for a matched donor is not feasible or practical, then cord blood stem cells present the best option.
"The results so far suggest they made the right call" said Dr. Hayani.
Her case was published in a prestigious medical journal this year:
The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics released the report, "First Report of Autologous Cord Blood Transplantation in the Treatment of a Child with Leukemia," in Pediatrics 2007; 119: 296-300 on January 3, 2007.
Congratulations to the private cord blood stem cell bank Corcell who has not only saved a life but planted a new flag and milestone in stem cell transplantation!
StemLife's Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplants in Malaysia
StemLife has released 2 cord blood stem cell units successfully for transplantation for leukemia and thalassemia major. Both have been for sibling use thus far.
While we certainly hope that stem cell units remain in our tanks for a lifetime, as time goes by and more applications become available, the chances and opportunities for life-improving uses may also increase. StemLife Parents you have the vision and foresight to bank your babies' stem cells at birth, please help us make sure your friends also "make the right call".
Call StemLife of course :)
+603 2163 8800 or +6012 2050 165
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