SmartBank Foundation and Cordha Clinical Trial
Since 2009, in its London offices the SmartBank non-profit Foundation has been involved in research, clinical trials, and scientific publications and consultancy services for parents and schools on somatic stem cell transplants for treating numerous diseases.
The foundation’s aims include that of promoting networking between players, associations and institutions involved in the stem cell universe, as well as organizing updating and ECM courses and conferences – for training healthcare professionals – on the use of these cells in clinical practice.
The twinning with the American Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation gives an international scope to the legislative novelties in the various countries by carefully monitoring accredited public and private biobanks.
For information contact the Freephone number 800913476 or visit the websites
www.smartbankfoundation.org and www.parentsguidecordblood.org
CORDHA Clinical Trial
The CORDHA clinical trial, promoted by SmartBank through its SmartBank Foundation, is carried out in cooperation with the S. Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli hospital in Rome and Avantgarde s.p.a. (Gruppo Sigma Tau). The trial has the aim of showing that DHA administered during pregnancy can increase the maturity of the stem cells extracted from the umbilical cord.
DHA (docosahexaenoic) is an omega-3 fatty acid now much less frequent in the Western diet because of reduced fish consumption; it is normally prescribed for pregnant women as a food additive for its beneficial effects on the mother and on the baby’s neuro-cognitive, psychomotor and visual development. Together with protein, iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B it is a crucial nutrient during the second part of the gestation, when 90% of the foetal growth occurs (note). The beneficial effects of omega-3 include a reduction in blood pressure, a stimulation of the production of hormones and nerve fibres and the regulation of the body temperatures and bronchial passages.
This effect is particularly important for the preservation of stem cells, since the use of cord blood for therapeutic purposes is linked to the number of cells present: generally the quantity collected from the umbilical cord is sufficient for transplant in a 14-year-old child, whereas for an adult it could be necessary to combine them with donor cells or expand them in the laboratory.
The greater the quantity of cells initially collected, the greater the potential for future therapeutic use.
Note: King (2000) “Physiology of pregnancy and nutrient metabolism” Arn J Clin Nutr.
Kline (2004): “Macronutrient requirements during pregnancy”. Today’s Dietician
