For those seeking to potentially manage symptoms of this condition, Regenerative Medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis is a natural alternative option.
Content Review: Michael Healey, M.Ed., C.A.S. Last Updated: September 2026
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue. This inflammation primarily affects the synovial lining, the soft membrane surrounding joints. Over time, it can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and damage to cartilage and bone. RA most often affects the hands, wrists, knees, and ankles, but it can also involve the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Common Symptoms
RA requires ongoing medical care. Established treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, controlling disease activity, preserving joint function, and helping prevent long-term damage.
Standard Treatment Categories
Stem cell therapy for autoimmune conditions is being studied because mesenchymal stromal cells may influence inflammatory and immune-system signaling. For people with RA, stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis remains an investigational approach.
What Researchers Are Studying
Studies differ in cell source, dose, background medication, comparison group, and follow-up period. Some researchers have studied cell treatment with Lugua polypeptides, a traditional Chinese medicine preparation derived from Sika deer bone and melon seed. This combination is distinct from cell treatment alone.
Note: Stem cell therapies for rheumatoid arthritis are not FDA-approved and are investigational. Early clinical studies have reported changes in disease activity, symptoms, and laboratory markers, and research continues across different cell products and treatment plans.
How Stem Cell Therapy for RA Is Being Studied
Research on stem cell therapy for RA is focused on safety, changes in disease activity, and possible effects on immune-system signaling. Studies are evaluating different cell sources, doses, treatment schedules, background medications, and combination approaches. This work is helping researchers better understand how cell-based approaches may fit within future RA research. Stem cell treatment for rheumatoid arthritis should be considered product-specific and investigational.
2023: Systematic Review Reported Improvements in Disease-Activity and Laboratory Measures
Safety and Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials — Read Study
This systematic review evaluated available clinical studies of mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for RA. The included studies evaluated different cell products, doses, background medications, and outcome measures. The review identified reported improvements in selected disease-activity and laboratory measures. These findings add to the growing body of clinical research examining MSC-based approaches for people with RA.
2020: UC-MSCs Combined With Interferon-Gamma Reported Greater Clinical Improvements
Combination of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem (Stromal) Cell Transplantation With IFN-γ Treatment Synergistically Improves the Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis — Read Study
This randomized study enrolled 63 people with RA and compared umbilical-cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell treatment alone with the same treatment combined with interferon-gamma, a signaling protein involved in immune activity. At three months, the combination group had higher reported response rates and greater improvement in several disease-activity measures than the cell-treatment-only group. The researchers reported no new or unexpected safety concerns during one year of follow-up. These results support continued research on UC-MSC and interferon-gamma combination approaches for RA.
2020: UC-MSCs and Lugua Polypeptides Reported One-Year Improvements
Cervus and Cucumis Peptides Combined Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis — Read Study
This study included 119 people with RA. Both groups received methotrexate, leflunomide, and umbilical-cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. One group also received Lugua polypeptides, described by the authors as a traditional Chinese medicine preparation extracted from Sika deer bone and melon seed. After one year, the combination group reported greater improvement in disease-activity, disability, and laboratory measures. These findings add to research on multi-part regenerative medicine approaches alongside standard RA medication.
2019: UC-MSC Infusions Reported Sustained Disease-Activity and Disability Improvements
Efficacy and Safety of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Prospective Phase I/II Study — Read Study
This prospective phase I/II study followed 64 people with RA who received one or two intravenous umbilical-cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell infusions alongside their standard medications. The authors reported improvements in disease-activity and disability measures at one and three years after treatment. They also reported no significant treatment-related safety concerns. These results contribute to continued clinical research on intravenous UC-MSC treatment alongside standard RA care.
For people with RA who want to learn more, stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and other regenerative medicine approaches may be topics to discuss with a healthcare provider. A consultation can help review your diagnosis, disease activity, medications, treatment history, and goals, and clarify whether an investigational regenerative approach is something to discuss further with your treating rheumatology clinician.
At Stemedix, our clinical team evaluates each patient individually to determine whether regenerative medicine could complement existing RA treatments. Our goal is to help restore balance, mobility, and a higher quality of life.
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Regenerative medicine therapies for rheumatoid arthritis are investigational and are not FDA-approved for this use. Research findings do not guarantee individual results.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Important Patient and Consumer Information About Regenerative Medicine Therapies. FDA
Speak with a Care Coordinator today for a more accurate assessment of your condition and therapy options.
Catherine shares her incredible journey of 20 years with Rheumatoid Arthritis how Regenerative Medicine has given her the opportunity to be able to enjoy more of her passion of painting.
Our Board-Certified Physicians specialize in regenerative medicine. They stay abreast of the latest developments in stem cell research. Each patient is screened and reviewed before being approved for therapy.
Each patient is thoroughly reviewed to ensure their safety for treatment. The physicians will then determine potential benefit candidacy. If approved, a customized treatment plan is offered for the patient.
Stemedix can help coordinate patients with necessary wheelchair transportation, medical equipment, and Care Giving services as needed during their stay. Your Care Coordinator is available for questions and assistance.
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