Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types. Working as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells, at the sole condition that the receiving person is alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either

remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

Stem Cells Preparation

Umbilical cord blood from healthy full term newborns with healthy mothers is the only source of Beike’s stem cells.

Given the woman’s consents to donate her umbilical cord, immediately after the delivery authorized hospital personnel insert a needle into the cord’s vein and the blood is drawn, normally from 80 to 140 ml - approximately 2 thimbles. The cord blood is then put into a small, sterile pouch with an anticoagulant to prevent clotting. The pouch contains from 100,000 to 300,000 stem cells.

The umbilical cord blood is then immediately sent to the city government blood bank for testing. First of all, a medical history of the mother is reviewed. Then, the blood is tested to insure that no genetic disorders, microbiological contamination and/or hereditary diseases exist, such as HIV, Syphilis, CMV, HTLV and Hepatitis. Provided the blood passes all tests, it receives a certification of purity and is then transferred to Beike laboratory.

Here, the blood is tested one more time to confirm the blood banks results. This double check ensures total safety to our patients. After the blood has been cleared it undergoes a process known as Magnetic Washing, aimed at removing all material except the specifically desired stem cells by means of magnetic beads coated with antibodies to stem cell antigens.

When this immunomagnetic separation is done, stem cells are then cultured in a solution containing nutrients and growth factors, but no animal products or by-products: this medium is changed every 1 or 2 days. The cells proliferate for 7 to 10 days under continuous control: if there is any sign of unwanted behaviour or contamination, the entire batch is immediately destroyed.

The cells are harvested at the optimum point, i.e. before they start differentiating into specialized cells. At this phase, they normally count from 7 to 10 million. The cells pass through another washing process to remove all growth medium and particles, and we have finally obtained extremely pure stem cells ready for transfusion. If they are not to be used immediately, they are frozen in liquid nitrogen.

Stem cells from umbilical cord blood have the advantage of a “"naïve"” immune status: in other words, they won't attack the recipient person. In case a rejection were to occur anyway, there are treatments to handle it.

In front of a GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease: a potentially fatal rejection case) the patient undergoes an immunosuppressive therapy, but we must point out that GVHD has never been an issue with the type of cells (umbilical) we are discussing.

The most common and frequent issue is a slight histamine response within the body which can elevate the patient's temperature: a situation that is quickly and easily handled. The range of treatment options for this issue varies from mild anti-inflammatory drugs such as Tylenol to stronger histamine suppressants such as Bynadryl.

Since 2001 Beike has treated hundreds of patients with umbilical cord stem cells. During the first years we used adult neural stem cells and fetal stem cells too, but eventually Beike has found that umbilical cord stem cells are the most effective, safe and tested - and decided to focus on them only.