This process has enabled study recipients to reconstitute their immune systems. There are special cells in cord blood that are present in bone marrow and only in tiny quantities in adult blood. These are the cells that make bone marrow transplants work. Scientists hope that cord blood technology will help patients who can't find a matching marrow donor. Because cord blood is rich in stem cells, this relatively small amount is enough to provide a transplant for a child or most teenagers.
Work is underway to maximize the amount of cord blood collected in each donation.
Additionally, researchers are investigating ways to expand the volume of collected blood in the laboratory. Every year, about 30,000 patients are diagnosed with diseases that might be treatable with cord blood. This includes leukemias, neuroblastoma, refractory anemia, Hodgkin's Disease and other cancers. Research also shows promise that cord blood can also treat genetic diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, aplastic anemia, thalassemia and Fanconi anemia. Women who decide to participate will be asked to sign a consent form.