[Increasing clinical applications of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and consequences for the handling of this biomaterial].

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) of a newborn contains stem cells with a remarkably high differentiation and regeneration potential. They are therefore useful for application in regenerative medicine. In this review current clinical applications are summarised and the necessity for the storage of UCB stem cells is derived and discussed. A Medline search for publications regarding clinical application of UCB stem cells was carried out and other data bases were reviewed. The transplantation of UCB stem cells, a special class of adult stem cells, has not only been established successfully in a variety of haematoblastoses but could also improve the prognosis in diseases which are related to degeneration and/or injuries of body cells and organs. The current focus in worldwide research is tissue engineering of bioartificial heart valves and vessels as well as applications of UCB stem cells in acute myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus type 1 and neurodegenerative diseases. In urology the first results regarding the successful application of UCB stem cells in incontinence have been published. This definite progress in adult stem cell research as well as in clinical application requires a more rational handling of the resource UCB stem cells. Personal strategies as well as governmental concepts for storage of UCB stem cells for personal precautions, for donation to others or for research, respectively, have to be developed.