Youngest child to receive cord blood treatment to prevent diabetes

As part of The CORD study (Cord Reinfusion in Diabetes), Lucy, a 20 month old Australian girl, was reinfused with her own umbilical cord blood to determine whether it will delay or prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes. The study is being conducted through the Kids Research Institute at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Led by Professor Maria Craig, The CORD study is investigating the hypothesis that administering cord blood to children with a family history of type 1 diabetes delays or prevents the onset of this life-long condition – for which there is currently no cure.

Lucy’s cord blood was stored in the hope that in the future, it could help her seven-year old sister, Ava, who has type 1 diabetes. Lucy has now shown positive antibodies, which means she is at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes also.

Cord blood is rich in important and unique immune cells, known as regulatory T-cells, as well as stem cells. For this reason, the cells found in cord blood are considered promising in improving the treatment of many diseases, including type 1 diabetes. Today, cord blood stem cells are used in the treatment of over 80 diseases.

The CORD study is being funded by a grant from Insception Lifebank’s sister company, Cell Care Australia, which is the largest private cord blood bank in Australia. In October 2016, Insception Lifebank, Canada’s largest private cord blood & cord tissue bank, joined with Cell Care. The combined entity creates one of the world’s top 10 companies in the sector.

For more information about the CORD study, contact the CORD Study coordinator/nurse at The Children’s Hospital Westmead; Email: SCHN-CHW-CORD@health.nsw.gov.au.

Source: https://diabetes.cellcare.com.au/