How long can cord blood stem cells be stored?
Sufficient years have not passed to prove the absolute length of time; however, it is believed that stem cells can be successfully stored long term, perhaps decades, in a cryopreserved form. A recent study of cord blood at Indiana University demonstrated its viability after 15 years of cryogenic storage. Bone marrow has been stored for decades and has remained viable; there is no reason to believe that the same would not be true of cord blood.
Scientific research has yet to determine the actual length of time these cells can be stored and still be viable. It is known that cord blood stem cells remain viable for many years and possibly decades. So far, the longest time bone marrow stem cells have been frozen and successfully transplanted was eleven years as reported by Dr. Joe Antin in Bone Marrow Transplantation in 1992. Dr. Peter Kobylka of the University of Amsterdam showed viability of cord blood stem cells frozen for 15 years.
