Why store whole blood?

We are often asked why we are the only UK Company that stores all the blood collected at the time of birth (whole cord blood storage) when all our competitors extract the stem cells before freezing (volume reduced storage).

The answer is simple, Cells4Life was founded by scientists and doctors and has always put the child’s long term health options before commercial considerations. Scientifically, whole blood storage is the best way to store a child’s cord blood as it provides more opportunities for use in the future. This is supported by peer-reviewed research that underlines the importance of this method. Additionally, storing a piece of the umbilical cord complements whole cord blood storage, giving the maximum amount of stem cell groups.

Why is whole blood the best option?

Highest level of viability – whole cord blood goes from receipt to storing in the fastest time in the industry. Delays caused by testing and damage by the centrifuge reduce viability.

The studies of Rogers et al (2001), Wagner et al (1993) and Collins et al (2001) all concluded that prolonged processing time using general extraction methods, resulted in ‘significant loss of the desired stem cells’.

Only whole cord blood stores VSELs – a recent major breakthrough is the discovery of VSELs (Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells). It is believed these VSELs are released into the blood during a tissue or organ injury. VSELs contain several features typical of embryonic type stem cells. These properties indicate VSELs are powerful tools of the body for repairing damage.

Whole blood is future proofing – future treatments may require other cells found only in whole cord blood, as the discovery of VSELs shows, or the addition of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to samples for maximum effect. Volume reducing a sample (extracting the stem cells) means you may not be able to benefit from these treatments or any further discoveries.

Cord blood already contains the key stem cell groups (MSCs, VSELs and HSCs) when stored as whole blood. Competitors who offer extracted storage offer separate services to capture MSCs - for a separate cost. However, both of these stem cell groups, as well as key hormones and growth factors, are found in whole cord blood. Storing the cord may be worthwhile in conjunction with whole cord blood to increase the stem celsl captured.

Stem cells should be extracted when their use is known – whole cord blood tranfusion remains the Gold Standard for cancer treatment and that is why the stem cells should remain in whole blood until needed.  Depending on the therapy, it may be that a only a certain type of stem cell is required and these would be taken from the thawed blood.  Volume reducing a cord blood sample at the outset reduces the stem cell types to only HSCs and thus restricts the range of potential treatments to those that require blood forming stem cells.

Is storing only extracted stem cells a problem?

The main reason to store extracted stem cells is commercial. Due to the space required, whole cord blood is 9 times more expensive to store than extracted stem cells. The volume reduction methods were developed specifically to allow public banks to operate efficiently when considering treatments for leukaemia.

The commercial ‘space consideration’ issue was highlighted in a report entitled "New trends in umbilical cord blood transplantation" by bloodjournal.org. It comments that the majority of the world’s blood banks extract to save space costs. This is acceptable if only blood disorders are to be treated using the sample.

Extracted stem cells remove VSELs – importantly, VSELs, which are found in the same gradient density as red blood cells, are lost by centrifuge extraction of stem cells before storage are simply thrown away – as are key hormones and growth factors.

Research at The University of Louisville stated that 50% of these VSELs are lost in volume reduced (extraction) strategies, due to their unique morphology.