Top 10 FAQs
1. Why should I store my baby’s stem cells?
You should strongly consider storage if:
- There is a family history of certain diseases treatable by stem cells in your family;
- Sibling with a disease treatable using stem cells;
- Families of African descent and mixed race marriages, as these people are seriously under-represented in donor banks/registries;
- Form of medical insurance;
- This is essentially a question of affordability. If you can afford it you should definitely consider it.
2. How do I know which company to choose?
You should be comfortable with the company you choose as you are essentially storing your child’s stem cells for life. Do your homework and investigate all your options. Make sure that the company you choose:
- Operates on a totally transparent basis;
- Has a strong scientific team which is proof of investment in scientific progress;
- Most importantly, processes and stores according to international accreditation standards, to ensure that if you ever need the stem cells they will be accepted by transplant centres across the world. International accreditation standards require cord blood storage in bags.
- Has a strong financial record with no history of financial mismanagement.
3. How long have you been in business?
We collected our first cord blood unit in 2004 and to-date have stored stem cells for over 4,500 clients. In addition to cord blood, we cryogenically store cord tissue, peripheral blood (bone marrow) stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells from adipose (fat) tissue, as well as oocytes (egg) and semen (sperm).
4. What is the difference between cord blood and cord tissue stem cells?
| Cord Blood | Cord Tissue | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Stem Cells | Haematopoetic (blood) stem cells | Mesenchymal stem cells |
| What can they be used for? | Blood related diseases. | Connective tissues (skin, bone, muscle, cartilage), nerve (neurological) and organ regeneration. |
| How are they stored? | Stem cells extracted prior to cryopreservation and stored in a bag. Additionally, vials of the cord blood is separately stored for testing (HLA-typing). | Stem cells not extracted prior to cryopreservation. Mesenchymal rich fraction of Wharton’s Jelly stored. This is stored in vials. |
| Preparation for use? | Ready to be used upon thawing. | Stem cells need to be extracted (isolated) upon thawing, grown and made into the required therapeutic. This can take up to 2 weeks in the lab. |
| How many times can they be used? | Once, as the stem cells are not easily expandable and the cord blood unit is generally only enough for one transplant. | Many times, as mesenchymal stem cells are easily expandable |
5. If the child already has a disease, can his/her own stem cells be used?
There are certain forms of leukaemia in which autologous stem cells can be used and others not. For example, in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (the most common sort in children), there is usually a genetic aberration that leads to the cancer. This genetic aberration would be included in the actual stem cells and therefore an autologous transplant is not advisable. If a child has a genetic disease that requires stem cells as part of the treatment, an autologous transplant will not be possible. The treating doctor will have to get donor cells either related or unrelated. In other words, a child with a genetic disease cannot use his/her own stem cells. Examples of these genetic diseases are: Fanconi’s anaemia, sickle cell anaemia, Thalassaemia, immune deficiencies.
6. What is the difference between local and international storage?
Once the cord blood and tissue are collected, the cells start dying, so it is imperative to get this to the laboratory as soon as possible. Local storage ensures less transport risk (courier delays, customs clearance, weather disruption, extreme changes in temperature) so that the cells can arrive without being compromised within 24 hours of the birth for processing.
7. How long can the stem cells be stored and what happens to the stem cells after 10 years?
Theoretically the stem cells can be stored forever, as they are cryopreserved and stored at -196 degrees Celsius, where all ageing is halted. The stem cells can therefore be stored as long as you wish. Our initial contract includes 10 years storage so that you do not have to worry about paying annual storage fees for the first 10 years of your child’s life. Thereafter you will be able to continue storage by purchasing a further 5 or 10 year’s storage. Currently storage fees average R150 per annum, so the fees in 10 years will be broadly consistent with this (adjusted for inflation). They will be market related and if at any time you wish to move your stem cells to alternative storage location, you are welcome to do so.
8. What guarantee is there if something happens to the stem cells or Netcells?
Our sister company, Smart Cells international (the UK’s longest established stem cell bank) will take over the storage of the stem cells in the unlikely event of anything ever happening to Netcells. Netcells and Smart Cells employ the identical technology so it is easy to transfer cells between the two laboratories. Netcells is Smart Cells offshore back-up laboratory and process and store stem cells for Smart Cells clients from all over the world, when there are flight disruptions in the UK and Europe due to weather (volcano, snow) and strikes. See Netcells Assurance and Insurance.
9. What guarantees are that that some of the cells will not be used for research?
As this is a private bank and we store for your family only, we do not carry out HLA-typing on the stem cells and therefore we will never know if they are a match for anyone else. Additionally, we comply with the Human Tissue Act and therefore we cannot use your stem cells for research ever without your prior written consent.
10. If we emigrate can we move the stem cells?
Absolutely. The stem cells can be shipped in their frozen state anywhere in the world to another stem cells bank that accepts them for storage. The cost of this will however be for your own account.