We're being SPAMMED by StemTech

I'm not sure how we've managed to make it onto StemTech's spambot list of blogsites, but we've just been patiently deleting them as they come in.

Today, I changed my mind and instead of just going ahead to hit delete, I've decided to dedicate an entire post entry to them due to the fact that they have been actively making their rounds in Malaysia.

One bottle of algae based supplements sells for RM 200+ per bottle (I'm told by those who have bought it) and is supposed to raise your own body's endogenous stem cells by an amount significant enough to increase one's sense of well-being.

My colleague Prof. Aw - who by the way is a recent convert to supplementation- was contacted by one of the StemTech agents/ distributors before. He asked them to send him journal papers (which they claimed they had) and on a second encounter, asked them to do a proof of concept trial by checking on the amount of stem cells raised after taking the supplements for a month.

NO REPLY was forthcoming.

I was even more surprised when I discovered that the french neurologist scientist who is the founder of the organization was invited to present at one of the major hospital's inaugural lecture series here. Due to the heavy downpour, none of us were able to attend but we were most curious as to whether they had received some sort of approval from our government, or whether the major hospital chain was endorsing their product.

I've asked some of the people who are taking this supplement to subject themselves to a simple trial which we'll conduct to see if what they've claimed is true. If I'm able to convince them, I'll be sharing the results with you.

If you're from StemTech and you're reading this, you might like to sponsor the trial if the confidence you have in your product is high.

If not, please stop misleading the public and don't use the term stem cells - call it what it probably is- a vitamin supplement.

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Note to StemTech: Please stop spamming us.

Viacell chose SEPAX

Well, it wouldn't be fair that other automated systems aren't discussed on this blog.

A burning question you must all have is:

What systems are all the other cord blood stem cell companies using?

Well, last year, Viacell announced in a short brief that they were integrating automation into its existing closed processing system using the SEPAX system, designed and manufactured by BioSafe, a Swiss rival of Thermogenesis.

The announcement stated that:

"SEPAX is the only FDA cleared cord blood processing system. Biosafe received FDA clearance in January 2007 and European CE mark approval in 2001."


THE SEPAX MACHINE: WHAT IS IT?

The SEPAX automated processing system is an all-in-one machine which is achieves a similar outcome of stem cell separation through an in-built centrifugal technology. It is approximately 14 Kg in weight (2 year old baby) and reminds me somewhat of a large square automated rice cooker (the newer Sanyo versions, that is).

The separation of stem cells from other blood components is achieved in a central core which spins the blood at high speed and through an optical reader, squeezes the separated components into the various compartments until the process is complete (watch the Quicktime animated demo). SEPAX kits are single use (just like AXP) and come with an option of storage bags, although it is rumoured that the kits will soon only come with a single compartment bag as Thermogenesis is revoking permission for the dual compartment design use (business as usual for public banks but potential consumer's angst in private banks).


THE PROS AND THE CONS

Let's start with the Pros.

1) The machine does away entirely with a centrifuge (no Beckmann or Sorvall)
2) One unit processed at a time
3) Portable
4) Closed system
5) Single disposable kit
6) No requirement for clean room
7) Used and endorsed by major european cord blood banks affiliated with Netcord*

The Cons.

1) Each unit takes approx 40 mins to process
2) One machine processes one unit at one time
(i.e. if you have 1 machines and 10 units, it will take you approx 5+ hours to complete the lot, more machines = more costs)
3) Possible breakdown of light detector (replacement downtime?)
4) Limitation of single compartmented storage systems
5) Technical oversight to ensure that the initial connections are placed correctly
6) Price (the euro has been incredibly expensive since last year)
7) Service when things go wrong (specialized engineer required from Switzerland)

CONSIDERATIONS FROM THE USER'S PERSPECTIVE

Both the AXP and the SEPAX have their pros and cons, and as a potential user, I'm interested in knowing the breakdown rates and other problems banks have in using the system. These are usually not disclosed and the user takes on the risk to find out. Unlike public banks which can afford to discard units which don't turn out right, private stem cell facilities have zero tolerance for error as every single one hurts both the client and the company's balance sheet. Additionally, if the system does not work out for the company for whatever reason, the expensive asset has to be written off (may cost millions) which would be an extremely painful decision to make.However, unlike the AXP system, the SEPAX system has been in use for a while and has not released any public recalls of their product. Hence, the only reason that I can think of for its slow uptake in the rest of the world is that unlike Europe, which promotes public banking largely for blood cancer use, America and the rest of the world is promoting cord blood stem cells for regenerative use- hence the need for a multi-compartmented bag- which is a different concept entirely.


PROFIT & LOSS

Certainly all companies selling the automated systems would stand to profit greatly from entering the cord blood stem cell market. Cord blood stem cell banks can still use generic products on the market, making it relatively affordable to bank as long as the team is technically competent. Now, automated systems will increase general standards of quality for those with less well trained staff (its a matter of practice and the total experience) but it also pushes prices up for the consumer or makes it less profitable for smaller operators. Public banks will also need to campaign for more funds in order to buy new systems and costs of processing will need to be revised from previous proposals.

For now, the small number of options in automated systems commands a forced loyalty as each system only accepts their own product. Many of the stem cell banking services that face the consumer directly will await the day that there is a generic design of standard quality which can be used with any machine, which will be more open to price transparency. Of course, that day may still be far away until either governments have budget surpluses to devote to a huge volume of public banking (when it takes precedence in funding over other healthcare priorities) or legislate to provide a conducive environment for the public to exercise their choice to bank privately should they wish to.

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PAYING FOR

There is no doubt in my mind that automation is inevitable at some point but let's not forget that this is still version 1 with potential to move to version 2. In the meantime, I'd like to see who and how the AXP system and SEPAX system is used in private hands, and whether it is used according to manufacturer's recommendation** to achieve the desired result.


*Prof. Eliane Gluckman's - the first cord blood stem cell transplanter- facility Eurocord uses the SEPAX system, in direct rivalry with AXP whose public endorser is the New York Cord Blood Bank led by Dr. Pablo Rubenstein who developed cord blood storage procedures in the US.

**Manufacturers recommend certain minimum volumes and maximum volumes to be used with their system. Any deviation of this will not result in the promised outcomes, hence clients who are paying more for the promise of this system but don't meet the criteria will still ultimately be getting manual processing (which works well in a competent facility but not in one where the practice is limited).

The point of these systems is also to provide a "functionally closed" system of processing and there certainly wouldn't be any point in using the automated system if you had to transfer the cells from the final bag into a different storage method (e.g. vials) at the end, which would break it into a "functionally open" one instead.

Concerns over Indian Cord Blood Bank Life Cell

I saw this blog entry which was pretty interesting. Essentially, the author describes the controversies of running a cord blood bank, even a "public-access" one, which create perceptions of charity or public responsibility, but may have its own consequences of ethics and points of controversy*.

I'll provide you with the start of the article and maybe you'll find it interesting enough to read the whole entry (which isn't long) and think through its perspectives... The first 3 lines were very provoking.


Cord blood banks are a lot like real ones. The more people participate, the better the value for everyone.

It's free to make a deposit, but withdrawals come with all kinds of fees.

US banks are pretty well regulated. The rest of the world has its colorful outliers.
People fear that India, which is coming into the cord banking world now with LifeCell, may not be too stringent on who gets to buy their blood -- and people may be dying to donate. Wired has the story:

Most experts agree that public cord-blood banking is a good idea. Stem cells from both cord blood and bone marrow treat many blood diseases, but cord blood is easier to obtain. Cord blood is also less likely to be rejected than bone marrow, which requires an exact match, usually from a family member. Similar to a blood bank, a cord-blood bank relies on donations to cover a broad range of immune types. The more donors, the more likely patients in need will find a match.
But in India, where female infanticide and body-organ sales are not uncommon, watchdog groups worry that a massive cord-blood bank like LifeCell's could create a dangerous demand for umbilical cords.



I believe that if good quality stem cell banking can be made available for a reasonable price, expectant parents would have no qualms about making the decision to store their babies's stem cells. Whilst greater popularity amongst investors should be a good thing, one of the challenges facing cord blood banks in many countries today is posed by ruthless competition, where price slashing may lead to a consequential cutting corners in a service which confuses the public and gives the entire industry a bad name.

At StemLife, we believe in providing value added services to our clients at an affordable cost and going the extra mile to make sure that the stem cell banking service is available to anyone who enquires. Our committment to our clients is that we care about their babies' stem cells and prudent management of the company with proven credibility also enables us to survive and excel in this new but exciting industry.



*Private banks are often accused of making parents feel bad for not banking their babies' cord blood stem cells, but forget that public banks are faced with difficult choices too in order to meet their respective targets.

When One Cord Blood Unit isn't Enough- Double Cord Blood Transplant

Congratulations to Dr. Peter McSweeney of Rocky Mountain Cancer Centre in Colarado for their successful double cord blood transplant for an adult! Sheila Gannon was pregnant when she was diagnosed with leukemia and chances of survival was only 20%. Given very few options due to the lack of a bone marrow match, her doctor obtained 2 units of umbilical cord blood stem cells in order to make up the necessary cell numbers.

From her video testimony (check it out on the right hand side of the page), she is doing well, apparently in remission and getting back to normal life. At least she is able to spend time with her newborn baby son now that she's had her treatment. It must have been tough on the family.

Stem cell bankers: if one unit isn't enough, then combination of cord blood units may be performed to make up the cell numbers. The main point is "the more cells the better".

I have yet to hear of someone saying that one bag of cord blood was too much and only a small portion of it was used for their therapy. To date, everyone uses everything they have in the bag.... and when one bag is not enough... add another bag of matching stem cells! In Malaysia, we have some rather unscrupulous people who tell others that by storing a unit of cord blood stem cells in 5 vials instead of in 1 bag, that it can be used 5 times, for your mum, dad, grandpa, aunty, uncle and yourself. This has yet to be proven true and until such time, remains a myth. Anyone promising this should be asked for a letter defining the exact promise.