Cryopreservation of therapeutic cells allows the long-term storage of functional cells and prevents degradative processes. Fresh cells are also used for cellular therapy approaches; however, there are many circumstances that make the availability of cryopreserved cells a must for repeated and on-hand use of cells. Cell cryopreservation provides a reliable stock of cells, which reduces the variability of cell therapy product. This translates to a more standardized product that can be used on a larger scale and without constraints on optimal availability for clinical use. 

The leading cause of death for U.S. citizens is cardiovascular disease, which affects nearly a third of the U.S. population. There is an active and dedicated search for effective therapies to address this serious medical issue. The use of immunotherapy approaches for a number of diseases and conditions is continuously gaining momentum. Included in this is the use of CD34+ stem cells from a patients’ own blood (autologously derived) to treat cardiovascular disease. CD34+ is derived from bone marrow and other tissue types. However, CD34+ stems cells are more widely known for their hematopoietic origin.

Leukapheresis is a procedure to separate white bloods cells (including dendritic and progenitor cells) from a blood sample. Products obtained from leukapharesis procedures, leukopaks, are regularly used in the research setting. They are also used for cell therapy process development and clinically for certain treatment procedures for blood disorders. Another way to obtain white blood cells and platelets is to obtain them from the buffy coat.

Nearly 7 million people in the U.S. (about 2% of the total U.S. population) suffer some level of stroke-related brain damage and related health problems. Studies in animals suggest that cell-based therapies can improve post-stroke outcomes. To determine the safety of cell-therapy approaches in humans, researchers from Stanford University conducted a clinical trial to study the safety of a procedure to transplant donor stem cells in the brains of patients with chronic stroke. 

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are peripheral blood cells containing a round nucleus. Examples of these types of cells include the various types of lymphocytes (including T cells) and monocytes. These are different from other blood cells that contain multi-lobed nuclei (e.g., neutrophils and eosinophils) and those that have no nucleus such as platelets and red blood cells (erythrocytes).

For many years, cancer therapy has been tackled with a more or less universal approach. The drawback of this approach to therapy is the wide range of different responses to a given therapy. The concept of personalized medicine, tailoring treatment to a patient’s specific characteristics, has been envisioned and desired for many years. It is now being studied and implemented to increase successful responses to therapy, including cancer therapy.

The following infographic discusses the differences between primary cells and cell lines.

Historically, cell lines have been useful research tools. However, they are subject to a number of inherent risks due to their altered or engineered nature, creating an "artificial cell-based system".

Scientists find that stem cells may be beneficial in treating diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia and foot ulcers.

Bone marrow stem cells are known for their capacity to self-renew and ability to give rise to different cell types. They can be used for tissue regeneration and treatment against different types of cancer. The extent of their benefits does not stop there. Stem cells also may help heal foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

Stem cells were instrumental in creating new functional diaphragm

The diaphragm is a one of the vital organs of the body; it is responsible for several important functions including its very critical role in respiration. During the process of breathing, the diaphragm contracts to add volume to the thoracic cavity, which enables the lungs to make room for more air. It also separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The malfunction of the diaphragm can lead to several life threatening conditions, which can be acquired or congenital. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) are one of the most common birth defects (1:2500) caused by a malformation, or hole, in the diaphragm.

Researchers study alternatives to bone marrow-derived stem cells for post-heart attack tissue repair

Stem cell-based therapy is emerging as a promising modality to rejuvenate a dying heart after heart failure, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Largely, clinical trials have used bone marrow-derived stem cells to improve the cardiac performance in ailing hearts. Unfortunately, bone marrow-derived stem cells could not help patients with this devastating disease except for very minor temporary improvements, which generally go away with the time.