Current questions about the fields of application

For which diseases can umbilical cord blood stem cells be used nowadays? 

For the first time in 1988, foreign-body (allogenic) stem cells from umbilical cord blood were used for treating aplastic anaemia. Meanwhile it is known that the success rates with allogenic samples of umbilical cord blood are as high as the stem cell treatment from the bone marrow. Mainly, umbilical cord blood is used with when the patient suffers from cancer and due to chemotherapy his bone marrow does not function anymore. Moreover, umbilical cord blood stem cells are also used for recurrent leukaemia, as it is necessary to treat these patients with the suitable medication as quick as possible. As these cells already are an instant mediation, you do not lose any precious time with the search for a donor. Umbilical cord blood materials are also used for congenital dysfunctional haematosis, metabolic diseases and brain injuries. Internationally renowned research groups permanently work at a large number of different applications for umbilical cord blood stem cells. With their help, brain sections can regenerate after a stroke and damaged cartilage and bone material can grow back. Liver tissue could be replaced or a damaged heart muscle can be repaired. Fact is: stem cells are a large hope in medicine, as they provide the chance for real cure.   

Is it also possible to use stem cells for curing leukaemia? 

During leukaemia, the stem cells of the haematopoietic systems are affected. Therefore, they are generally hardly treated with own (autologous) stem cells. In such cases, the suitable stem cells of a relative or an unrelated donor are always preferred, as a significant part of the treatment is the immunological reaction of the transplant against the leukaemia cells. In some cases, infantile leukaemia has already been successfully treated with umbilical cord material.   

For which diseases will umbilical cord blood stem cells be hopefully used in future? 

There are already many experimental, but also clinical approaches for organ replacement therapy with the help of stem cells. This also includes heart diseases (heart attacks, cardiac valve diseases and transplantations), diabetes, diseases of the nervous system (Morbus Parkinson, Alzheimer), apoplectic strokes, paraplegia, autoimmune diseases (rheumatism, multiple sclerosis, lupus), skin- and bone diseases and arthropathy (joints).    

Have umbilical cord blood stem cells already been used for treatment? 

The first transplantation with stem cells from umbilical cord blood was already performed in 1988. Ever since, more than 10,000 transplantations with umbilical cord blood stem cells were carried out. In Japan and in the United States who are the world-leader in umbilical cord blood research, umbilical cord blood is used more frequently than bone marrow. 

When is it strongly advisable to store umbilical cord blood stem cells? 

For example when a sibling suffers from cancer or has a tumour. Then, the umbilical cord blood stem cells of the healthy child can very often be used for transplantation. In such a case processing and storing the stem cells is even free of charge with eticur). Moreover, the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich already has some successful experimental approaches in breeding cardiac valves and heart muscle tissue from umbilical cord blood stem cells. When prenatal diagnostics reveal that the unborn child suffers from a heart failure, then stem cell storage is strongly advised. In such cases eticur) takes over the storage costs after an individual evaluation as well. 

When storing umbilical cord blood is advisable for medical prevention, why do health insurances not cover the costs? 

So far, compulsory health insurances do not yet cover any costs for this promising measure. But if you have a private health insurance, you should contact your insurance, as some private insurers already grant a contribution. Mostly when a sibling is ill or in cases when prenatal diagnostics reveal certain defects, the health insurances are prepared to cover the full costs. Of course, you can rely on our assistance in such cases.    

Can umbilical cord blood stem cells also be used for adults? 

Of course, also adults can be treated with stem cells from umbilical cord blood. In 2006, more than 64% of all umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantations world-wide were carried out with adults. .
In regenerative medicine, the amount of prevailing stem cells is not crucial. Already a few stem cells suffice in order to e.g. cultivate tissue replacement or activate certain self-healing effects in the body. For this reason eticur) also stores the collected stem cells in two different containers, so that the material can actually be used twice. Following applies for cancer therapy: The more a patient weighs, the more stem cells are needed. If the required amount of stem cells is not enough, the doctors increasingly provide two set of materials in order to improve the healing rate. Moreover, clinical studies are presently trying to proliferate stem cells.

• highest quality for testing and storing
• separation and HLA-typification included
• safe storage at the University Hospital
• storage in two units in two tanks
• financing option from zero percent interest