Cord blood storage slows down, doctors say it may have a role in regenerative medicine in the future

The Hindu

31-07-2025

July is marked as 'Cord Blood Awareness Month'. While some experts observe that the uptake for storing umbilical cord blood has slowed down unlike in the past, they say it is beneficial when used for direct donations in the case of a child requiring treatment for diseases such as leukemias. Research exploring its potential is in the early or experimental stages, and it may have a role in regenerative medicine in the future, doctors say.
The Indian Council of Medical Research, in its Guidelines for Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) Banking Collection, Processing, Testing, Storage, Banking and Release for Clinical Application 2023, said umbilical cord blood 'contains stem cells that can be used to treat haematopoietic and genetic disorders including cancer'. Umbilical cord blood is rich in Haematopoietic Stem Cells, which possess the properties of self-renewal as well as the ability of differentiation into myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages. It is also known to be rich in mesenchymal cells, which are self-renewing and minimally immunogenic and play a key role in immune suppression in response to graft-versus-host disease, it said. It added that there are 22 licensed UCB banks in the country.
Who needs to store cord blood and why?
Jaishree Gajaraj, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology and head of department, MGM Healthcare, Chennai said, 'Though the awareness on storing cord blood has increased over the years, the big rush that we had once seen has died down. Nearly 15 years ago, everybody wanted to know about storing cord blood, and now, it is plateauing.'
'We do not proactively suggest cord blood storage. Even the global guidance says doctors should not recommend it proactively. But if any of our parents ask about cord blood and storing it, we tell them it is good and has potential. Storing cord blood is necessary only if indicated. For instance, if the older sibling in a family has leukemia, then, it definitely has a benefit as we need not look out for a matching donor. We have had such instances and it has been gratifying,' she said.
Dr. Gajaraj added: 'But we also need to remember that all claims of the potential of cord blood stem cells to grow into any organ are still in the experimental stages; everything is simulated in laboratories. Even its use in infertility and hair growth are on an experimental basis with no big randomised control trials. So with no guidelines recommending it, those who can afford to, can do it.'
Vinutha Arunachalam, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, laparoscopic minimally invasive surgeon and robotic surgeon, Apollo Women's Hospitals, Chennai, said, 'We do get a lot of inquiries from parents about storing cord blood. Many parents do some research on their own or would have known someone who had stored cord blood or had benefited from it. When women near their expected date of delivery, we do offer them the option of storing the cord blood in the standalone banks available.'
Role in treatment and costs
As of now, stem cells in cord blood are used in the treatment of leukemias and myelomas, and blood-related disorders. They are being explored for cartilage regeneration. In the future, it could have benefits in many more areas, Dr. Arunachalam said, adding 'There is a 50% genetic match for the parents, and for other siblings of the child. It could be used to treat disorders in both the parents and the siblings.'
'Approximately, two decades ago, cord blood storage cost ₹70,000. It appeared important then, and was expensive too. But in the subsequent years, it went on to lose its value slowly. Its role in future use got reduced with time except in direct donations in case of a child with a disease,' said Aruna Rajendran, associate professor and haemato-oncologist, department of haematology, bone marrow transplant unit, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai.
In the U.K. and U.S., people still philanthropically donate cord blood to public cord blood banks for any patient who needs a transplant, she said, adding: 'Cord blood can be stored for 20 years. Because of the acceptable HLA mismatches in cord blood stem cell source, and immediate availability, it is a good stem cell source for bone marrow transplantation. But over the years, with widespread use and refined technique of haploidentical bone marrow transplants where every parent and most siblings can donate for a patient, cord blood-based bone marrow transplants have reduced in numbers.'
It may have a role in the future of regenerative medicine but currently, it is in experimental stages and not a standard of care, Dr. Rajendran added.