Medical Review: Dr. Gerald Mastaw, MD – Board-Certified Physician Last Updated: October 2025
Understanding the Science of Aging
Aging is a gradual, lifelong process that begins earlier than most realize often as early as your 20s. Over time, every organ and tissue experiences cellular wear and reduced regenerative capacity. These microscopic changes can influence how we feel, look, and function.
While aging cannot be stopped, scientific advances in regenerative medicine are exploring ways to help the body age more gracefully, supporting recovery, vitality, and overall well-being.
How Aging Affects the Body
Common age-related concerns include:
Changes in vision or hearing
Persistent fatigue or low energy
Fine lines, wrinkles, or thinning skin
Muscle loss and joint stiffness
Sleep disruption and slower recovery
Memory lapses or brain fog
Bladder or bowel changes
These symptoms often occur simultaneously, reflecting cellular aging—when cells lose efficiency in repair, energy production, and immune balance.
Traditional Approaches to Age Management
Most conventional age-management strategies address individual symptoms rather than underlying biological aging. Common options include:
Medications: for joint discomfort, sleep, mood, or hormone support
Cosmetic treatments: fillers, Botox®, or resurfacing to enhance appearance
Lifestyle changes: diet, exercise, stress reduction, and quality sleep
Hormone therapy: when clinically indicated
Supplements: vitamins, antioxidants, or collagen to maintain general wellness
While these methods can help manage effects of aging, they typically do not address cellular regeneration or tissue repair.
A Modern Regenerative Approach
Regenerative medicine, including stem cell and exosome-based research, is an emerging field focused on supporting the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Why Stem Cells Are Being Studied
Stem cells are unique because they can:
Differentiate into specialized cell types
Release growth factors and exosomes that encourage tissue repair
Help modulate immune responses
Support healthier function in muscles, skin, and organs
Important: Stem cell therapy for age management is experimental and not FDA-approved. Current research focuses on safety, dosing, and long-term effects. Any use should be discussed with a qualified physician experienced in regenerative medicine.
Recent Human Studies on Umbilical Cord MSCs and Exosomes
2025 – Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Aging
Title:Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy with Laromestrocel in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Phase 2a Trial Journal:Nature Medicine – Read Study Summary: This randomized Phase 2a trial studied patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease, a hallmark of age-related neurodegeneration. Participants received several infusions of donor-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or placebo. Results showed slower cognitive decline and better preserved brain volume in the MSC-treated group. No major adverse events were observed, indicating a favorable safety profile. Researchers emphasized the need for larger trials to confirm potential neuroprotective effects.
2024 – Aging Frailty and Physical Function
Title:Safety and Efficacy of Umbilical Cord Tissue-Derived MSCs in Patients with Aging Frailty: A Phase I/II Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Journal:Stem Cell Research & Therapy – Read Study Summary: In this trial, older adults with frailty received a single IV infusion of UCT-MSCs or placebo. At six months, the MSC group showed improved walking speed, grip strength, and self-reported vitality versus placebo, without serious side effects. Investigators concluded the therapy was safe and merited larger follow-up studies to explore improvements in mobility and resilience.
2024 – Exosomes in Skin Rejuvenation
Title:Clinical Applications of Exosomes in Cosmetic Dermatology Journal:Frontiers in Pharmacology – Read Study Summary: In a 28-person clinical study, participants underwent microneedling on both sides of the face. One side received serum containing MSC-derived exosomes, the other served as control. After 12 weeks, the exosome-treated skin showed greater wrinkle reduction, improved firmness, and hydration, with no serious side effects. Researchers found that exosome-enhanced microneedling can safely stimulate collagen remodeling and improve skin tone, offering a cell-free regenerative option.
Considering Regenerative Medicine for Age Management
If you’re exploring ways to maintain wellness as you age, regenerative medicine research may offer new insights into how the body repairs itself.
Before considering treatment:
Consult a licensed regenerative medicine specialist for personalized guidance.
Review your medical history, medications, and overall health.
Understand the experimental status of stem cell and exosome therapies.
Discuss alternative or complementary options, including clinical trials.
At Stemedix, our team follows evidence-informed, research-based protocols designed to prioritize safety, transparency, and patient education. We help patients understand emerging regenerative approaches and how they fit within a broader wellness plan.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Stem cell and exosome therapies for age management are not FDA-approved, and individual outcomes may vary. Always consult your healthcare provider before pursuing any medical or wellness treatment.
References
Kim H. et al. Allogeneic MSC Therapy with Laromestrocel in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease.Nature Medicine, 2025. DOI Link
Tompkins C. et al. Umbilical Cord Tissue-Derived MSCs in Aging Frailty.Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2024. Full Text
Zhang L. et al. Clinical Applications of Exosomes in Cosmetic Dermatology.Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024. Full Text
Interested in learning more? Contact us to schedule a consultation and find out if regenerative medicine for age management is right for you.
Living with a spinal cord injury can bring persistent pain, muscle tension, and challenges in daily activities. At Stemedix, we specialize in stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, offering individualized treatment plans designed to help you manage these symptoms and support your body’s natural repair processes. Our approach uses stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury to target inflammation, improve nerve function, and promote neural cell activity. While this therapy does not reverse the injury, it can provide meaningful improvements in circulation, motor control, and muscle strength.
By leveraging stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury, our team helps you explore alternative regenerative options tailored to your specific condition. From reviewing your medical records to developing a personalized therapy plan, we make sure that you receive focused care and support throughout your regenerative medicine journey in Saint Petersburg, FL.
Spinal Cord Injury and Its Link to Chronic Pain
A spinal cord injury can have long-lasting effects on your body, impacting movement, sensation, and daily activities. Chronic pain often becomes a persistent challenge for those living with SCI, affecting quality of life.
What Happens in a Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts communication between the brain and the body. The spinal cord serves as a critical network that transmits signals controlling movement, sensation, and organ function. When this pathway is damaged, signals may be blocked or misdirected. Patients often experience numbness, weakness, or loss of coordination depending on the injury location. Traumatic events such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, or acts of violence are common causes of SCI.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries (Complete vs. Incomplete)
Complete injuries cause total loss of sensation and function below the injury site, while incomplete injuries leave some signals intact. For example, a complete cervical injury may result in paralysis of both arms and legs, affecting your ability to perform basic tasks. In contrast, an incomplete thoracic injury may allow partial movement or sensation, letting patients retain some independence in daily activities. Injury classification also influences potential treatment outcomes and how rehabilitation and therapies, including stem cell approaches, may support recovery.
Why Chronic Pain Develops After SCI
Chronic pain develops because damaged nerves send abnormal signals to the brain. After an injury, nerve fibers may misfire, creating ongoing pain sensations even in the absence of an external trigger. In addition, muscle spasms, stiffness, and localized inflammation can worsen discomfort. Individuals with SCI report chronic neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain, underscoring the need for supportive interventions to manage symptoms and improve daily function.
Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury: An Overview
Stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury are an option that targets the damaged areas of the spinal cord to improve function and reduce chronic pain. This therapy is designed for patients who already have a confirmed spinal cord injury diagnosis and are exploring regenerative approaches to support recovery.
What Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury Means
Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury uses regenerative cells to support repair processes in damaged tissue. These cells work by modulating inflammation, helping damaged nerve tissue survive, and supporting the activity of neural cells. Introducing regenerative cells into injured areas may reduce muscle spasms, improve motor function, and promote better communication between the brain and body.
Types of Cells Studied for SCI (Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neural Cells)
Two cell types often studied in stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) release growth factors that regulate inflammation and support tissue repair. In patients with spinal cord injury, MSCs have been observed to reduce swelling around damaged nerves and support partial recovery of muscle function. Clinical observations suggest that MSC therapy can lead to measurable improvements in the motor function of patients, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
Neural cells contribute to nerve pathway repair and enhance communication between the spinal cord and brain. By supporting damaged neurons and promoting nerve signaling, neural cells may improve voluntary movement and reduce chronic pain. Early studies indicate that introducing neural cells in injured spinal regions can aid in reestablishing motor and sensory pathways in cases of incomplete injuries.
How Stem Cells May Help Manage Chronic Pain in SCI Patients
Chronic pain after a spinal cord injury affects multiple aspects of your daily life, from mobility to sleep and overall comfort. Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury offers potential pathways to address these challenges by targeting the underlying cellular processes involved in pain and tissue repair.
Reducing Inflammation and Muscle Spasms
Stem cells may help calm inflammation that contributes to pain and spasticity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) used in stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury release signaling molecules called cytokines that influence immune activity around damaged nerves. These molecules can lower nerve hyperactivity and ease continuous muscle tension. Patients receiving MSC therapy often report noticeable reductions in spasticity and localized inflammation within weeks of treatment, contributing to less discomfort during movement and rest.
Supporting Nerve Repair and Neural Cell Activity
Stem cells may aid in nerve protection and regeneration. Both MSCs and neural cells in stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury can support damaged neurons, helping them survive and re-establish connections. Improved neuronal connectivity can restore signal transmission between the brain and affected regions of the body. Even partial recovery of nerve function can lead to measurable improvements in motor control and a reduction in neuropathic pain.
Improving Circulation and Motor Function
Stem cells may promote better blood flow to injured tissues. Enhanced circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to areas affected by spinal cord injury, which may decrease discomfort and support voluntary movement. Patients with incomplete injuries often experience improved coordination and mobility after receiving stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury, with some reporting measurable gains in range of motion and functional independence.
Enhancing Muscle Strength and Daily Function
Stem cell treatment may help reduce muscle wasting and weakness. Strengthening muscles that have weakened due to spinal cord injury can decrease the risk of secondary pain caused by compensatory movements. Patients receiving stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury have reported increased control over previously weakened muscles, less stiffness, and greater ease in performing daily tasks such as standing, reaching, or transferring from a wheelchair.
The Patient Experience at Stemedix in Saint Petersburg, FL
Every patient’s journey through regenerative medicine is unique, and the experience at Stemedix is designed to provide clarity and support at every step. From initial contact to treatment completion, the focus is on helping you navigate your spinal cord injury care smoothly.
Treatment for Patients With a Confirmed Diagnosis
We provide regenerative treatments only for patients with confirmed spinal cord injury diagnoses. We do not perform diagnostic tests or imaging; instead, we build therapy plans using the medical records you provide. This approach allows us to concentrate on developing a stem cell therapy plan for spinal cord injury that aligns with your specific condition and history. By focusing on patients who already have a diagnosis, the treatment is tailored to address ongoing symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle tension, and reduced motor function.
Review of Medical Records and Candidacy Process
Patients provide recent scans, MRIs, and lab reports to determine treatment suitability. If your records are older than a year or incomplete, we can coordinate the collection of updated documentation through a simple medical release form. This process allows our physicians to evaluate the information and determine if a personalized stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury plan may benefit your condition. Early patient data indicate that having accurate, current records improves the precision of therapy planning, which may support better management of chronic pain and muscle function.
Personalized Care and Concierge Services
We offer a full-service experience tailored to patient comfort. Your care coordinator arranges travel from the airport, provides mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers, or shower chairs, and provides accommodations during your stay. This level of support allows you to focus on your treatment without additional logistical concerns. Patients undergoing stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury at Stemedix report that having these services available contributes to a smoother experience and greater adherence to therapy schedules.
Is Stem Cell Therapy Right for You?
Deciding on stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury involves careful consideration of your medical history and current condition. Knowing what the treatment involves and how it may support symptom management can help you take the next step in your care journey.
Who May Qualify for Treatment
Candidates generally have a confirmed spinal cord injury diagnosis and ongoing symptoms. Patients with chronic pain, muscle stiffness, or reduced mobility due to spinal cord injury may explore stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury as a potential option. Medical records, including MRI reports, blood work, and prior imaging, are reviewed to determine suitability. If these records are older than a year, new evaluations may be requested to provide accurate insight.
Carefully selected patients receiving stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury may experience improvements in muscle function, circulation, and a reduction in chronic pain, highlighting the role of targeted regenerative therapy in managing long-term symptoms.
The Role of Care Coordinators in Your Journey
Our Care coordinators guide patients through every step of the process. They assist in gathering and reviewing medical documentation, explain each aspect of the treatment plan, and coordinate travel, accommodations, and equipment if needed. Their role also includes addressing questions about the therapy process, treatment frequency, and expected outcomes.
Coordinators help schedule appointments and communicate with the physician team to tailor the plan to your specific condition. This structured approach helps maintain clarity and support throughout the therapy process.
Begin Your Regenerative Medicine Journey With Stemedix
Take the next step in managing your spinal cord injury with personalized care. Stemedix offers tailored treatments for spinal cord injury in Saint Petersburg, FL, designed around your medical history and current needs. You can speak directly with our care team to discuss your condition, review your medical records, and explore treatment options. Call us today at (727) 456-8968 or email yourjourney@stemedix.com to start your personalized therapy plan.
Mesenchymal stromal stem cells, commonly called MSCs, have been among the most-studied cell types in regenerative medicine over the past two decades. They have been tested in hundreds of clinical trials for conditions ranging from joint degeneration to heart disease, autoimmune disorders, lung injury, and complications after transplantation.
MSCs have consistently been shown to be safe, but their effectiveness has been mixed. Many trials have not met their main efficacy goals, and only a small number of MSC-based products have received regulatory approval worldwide.
This review by Lu and Allickson examines what has been discovered about MSC therapy and what remains to be done before these therapies can be widely adopted in routine clinical practice.
From Bone Marrow Cells to Powerful Immune Modulators
MSCs were first identified in mouse bone marrow as cells that could support blood-forming stem cells and form bone, cartilage, and fat. Human MSCs were later isolated in the 1990s. Early on, much of the excitement around MSCs focused on their ability to turn into different mesodermal tissues and directly replace damaged cells.
However, over time, it became clear that this “replacement” model did not fully explain what was happening in living organisms. In patients, MSCs do not routinely transform into large amounts of new tissue. Instead, their main therapeutic effects appear to come from the signals they send out rather than the cells they become.
Today, most researchers view MSCs as “medicinal signaling cells.” They can self-renew and still form bone, cartilage, and muscle, but their real power lies in their paracrine effects. MSCs sense damage and inflammation in their environment and respond by releasing a complex mix of biologically active molecules. This includes cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, extracellular matrix components, and extracellular vesicles that carry proteins, lipids, and genetic material, such as microRNAs. These signals help guide other cells to repair tissue, grow new blood vessels, calm harmful immune responses, and limit scarring.
How MSCs Influence Repair and Immunity
MSCs have been shown in laboratory and animal studies to home to sites of injury and support tissue repair in the heart, lungs, joints, nervous system, and other organs. They create a local microenvironment that encourages healing, reduces cell death, and can improve organ function after injury.
Equally important is their role in immune modulation. MSC-derived factors can shift the immune system away from a highly inflammatory state and toward a more balanced, regulatory profile. They interact with many types of immune cells, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells, and can either dampen or support immune activity depending on the context. This flexible, environment-dependent behavior is one of the reasons MSCs are being studied for such a wide range of inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions.
Extracellular vesicles released by MSCs, also known as MSC-derived EVs, are a significant contributor to their effectiveness. These tiny membrane-bound packages carry proteins, RNAs, and other molecules that can travel to distant cells and influence their behavior. EVs from MSCs have shown the ability to reduce fibrosis, promote tissue regeneration, and calm inflammation in preclinical models, raising interest in EVs as a possible “cell-free” therapy that might someday complement or even replace live cell treatments.
Defining an MSC: Why Standards Matter
One ongoing challenge in MSC research is that not all MSCs are the same. They can be derived from many different tissues, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, and perinatal tissues such as the placenta and the umbilical cord. Each source can produce cells with different characteristics, and even cells from the same source can vary based on how they are collected, cultured, and stored.
To create consistency in the field, the International Society for Cellular Therapy established basic criteria in 2006 to define human MSCs. According to these guidelines, MSCs must adhere to plastic in standard lab cultures, express specific surface markers, and differentiate into bone, cartilage, and fat cells under appropriate laboratory conditions.
Even with these guidelines, the authors note that there remains considerable variability across MSC products. Differences in cell source, donor characteristics, manufacturing methods, dosing strategies, and delivery routes all contribute to the wide range of outcomes seen in clinical trials. This variability is one of the main reasons it has been difficult to draw simple conclusions about “MSC therapy” as a single, uniform treatment.
Regulatory Approvals: A Few Successes Among Many Trials
Despite the large number of registered MSC trials worldwide, only a limited number of MSC-based products have received regulatory approval so far. Different countries regulate cell therapies through agencies similar to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, such as Health Canada, the European Medicines Agency, and others in Asia.
One important milestone highlighted in this review is the recent approval in the United States of an MSC therapy for pediatric graft-versus-host disease, a serious complication of stem cell transplantation. This marks the first MSC therapy approved by the FDA and demonstrates that, under the right conditions, MSCs can meet the rigorous safety, quality, and benefit standards required by regulators.
Outside the U.S., several other MSC-based products have been approved for conditions such as cartilage defects and graft-versus-host disease. However, when viewed against the backdrop of hundreds of trials, the number of approvals remains small, emphasizing how challenging it has been to translate the promise of MSCs into consistent, reproducible clinical benefit.
What the Clinical Trial Landscape Looks Like
A recent search of the ClinicalTrials.gov database found hundreds of registered studies involving mesenchymal stromal or mesenchymal stem cells, covering early-phase safety trials through more advanced phase 3 and 4 studies. These trials span a wide range of indications, from orthopedic and cardiovascular disorders to autoimmune diseases, neurological conditions, and complications of cancer treatment.
Yet, a key concern is that the vast majority of these trials have not reported their results publicly. This lack of accessible outcome data makes it difficult for clinicians and researchers to fully understand where MSCs are working well, where they are not, and what factors may explain the differences. It also slows progress in refining protocols and designing better future studies.
Safety: A Clear Strength of MSC Therapy
One consistent and reassuring theme across the MSC literature is safety. Clinical trials over more than two decades have shown that MSC therapy is generally very well tolerated. Reports of serious infusion reactions, organ damage, severe infections, cancers, or treatment-related deaths directly attributable to MSCs have been extremely rare.
Safety data is especially strong for bone marrow–derived and adipose-derived MSCs, which have the longest track record in human studies. Newer sources, including perinatal tissues, also appear promising but may benefit from longer follow-up and more comprehensive monitoring as experience grows.
The Efficacy Challenge and Future Directions
While safety has been firmly established, efficacy has been much less consistent. Many MSC trials have failed to meet their primary endpoints, and in some cases, the benefits have been modest or difficult to distinguish from placebo or standard care. This is not unique to MSCs—many new therapies face similar hurdles—but it does mean that expectations must be realistic.
Lu and Allickson emphasize that the next chapter for MSC therapy will depend on solving several key problems. These include better defining which patients and diseases are most likely to respond, standardizing and optimizing cell manufacturing, clarifying dose and timing, and understanding how factors like age, comorbidities, and prior treatments influence outcomes. It will also be important to determine when MSCs should be used alone and when they may be most effective in combination with other therapies.
What This Means for Patients Today
The data shows that MSCs are safe with clear potential for tissue repair and immune modulation. At the same time, the field is still working to consistently translate these biological effects into strong, repeatable clinical benefits across many diseases.
As research continues, mesenchymal stromal cell therapy remains one of the most carefully studied and promising avenues in regenerative medicine. The progress to date provides a strong foundation, and the future outlook will depend on rigorous science, thoughtful trial design, and continued collaboration between researchers, clinicians, regulators, and patients.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, you understand how life-altering the challenges can be. At Stemedix, we work with patients who have already received a confirmed diagnosis and are seeking alternative ways to support their recovery goals. While no treatment guarantees a cure, regenerative medicine offers the potential to support healing and reduce the impact of symptoms through biologically active therapies.
Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury is one such approach that may help promote cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and encourage nerve support. You won’t find exaggerated claims or comparisons here, just realistic, patient-focused information backed by experience. We customize each treatment plan using the documentation you provide, and we support you throughout your journey. This article will walk you through the basics of spinal cord injury, explain how stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury are used, and outline what to expect with our process.
What is Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that disrupts communication between the brain and the body. When this pathway is damaged, the body’s ability to send and receive signals becomes impaired. That can mean a loss of movement, sensation, or automatic functions like bladder and bowel control. Most spinal cord injuries happen because of sudden trauma. Studies show that the most common causes of SCI were automobile crashes (31.5%) and falls (25.3%), followed by gunshot wounds (10.4%), motorcycle crashes (6.8%), diving incidents (4.7%), and medical/surgical complications (4.3%).
The spinal cord does not regenerate the way some tissues in the body do. This makes the injury permanent in many cases. The outcome depends on where the injury occurred and how much of the nerve pathway is still intact.
Types and Locations of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is classified by severity, complete or incomplete, and by the spinal region affected. A complete injury results in loss of all movement and sensation below the injury site, while incomplete injuries allow some function. The spinal region involved guides recovery and therapy goals.
Cervical nerve injuries (C1–C8) impact the neck, arms, hands, and breathing, with higher levels possibly requiring ventilation support. Thoracic injuries (T1–T12) affect chest and abdominal muscles, impacting balance and trunk control. Lumbar and sacral injuries (L1–S5) influence leg movement and bladder function, with outcomes varying based on injury extent and completeness.
Common Symptoms and Challenges After SCI
Patients with SCI may experience paralysis, sensory loss, chronic pain, and complications in daily functions. Spinal cord injury affects more than movement. Many patients deal with muscle spasticity, pressure injuries due to immobility, frequent urinary tract infections, and problems with body temperature control. Autonomic dysreflexia, a sudden increase in blood pressure triggered by stimuli below the injury level, is a serious risk in those with injuries at or above T6. Emotional and psychological responses, including anxiety and depression, are also common and require support.
At Stemedix, we recognize that each spinal cord injury is unique. We tailor every treatment plan based on the medical records and information you provide, not generalized assumptions. If you’re exploring stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury, our team is ready to walk you through options that align with your health history and functional goals.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine supports the body’s repair mechanisms by introducing biologically active materials. This field focuses on helping your body respond to damage by using living cells and biological components. Instead of masking symptoms, regenerative treatments aim to influence the cellular environment that surrounds the injured tissue. In many cases, this includes the use of stem cells and growth factors.
For individuals with a spinal cord injury, regenerative medicine introduces new options that may encourage healing responses the body struggles to activate on its own. While this type of therapy doesn’t replace rehabilitation, it may work alongside your current efforts to promote tissue stability and reduce secondary complications.
Stem Cell Therapy as a Treatment Option for SCI
Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury is being explored to support recovery and symptom relief. Researchers are investigating how stem cells may influence the biological environment of an injured spinal cord. You won’t find a generalized approach here. Stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury is tailored to each case based on the location of injury, severity, and medical history.
The focus is not on reversing the damage or offering a cure. Instead, stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury may help by releasing chemical signals that support the health of nearby nerve cells, protect against further breakdown, and potentially stimulate limited repair processes. Some patients have reported improvements in muscle control, sensation, or bladder regulation, though outcomes vary and remain under study.
How Stem Cells Work to Support Healing
Stem cells can develop into specialized cell types and secrete proteins that support tissue repair. These cells have two key roles in regenerative medicine. First, they can adapt to different cell types, such as those found in the nervous system. Second, and equally important, they release helpful proteins, like cytokines and growth factors, that create a healing-friendly environment. This may reduce chronic inflammation and improve communication between nerve cells that remain intact.
In spinal cord injury cases, these cells may influence glial scar formation, improve blood flow to the damaged region, and protect vulnerable cells from oxidative stress. For example, studies have shown that transplanted mesenchymal stem cells can release brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a role in supporting neural survival.
At Stemedix, we offer regenerative therapy based on the existing diagnosis and medical documentation provided by each patient. Our approach respects the experimental nature of this therapy while offering guidance and structure throughout the process.
Potential Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Exploring the potential benefits of stem cell therapy gives you a chance to learn how regenerative medicine may support certain aspects of your spinal cord injury recovery. While results vary for each individual, many patients report improvements in pain, movement, and physical function over time.
Pain Reduction and Muscle Relaxation
Many patients report decreased neuropathic pain and reduced muscle tension following therapy. Neuropathic pain is one of the most common and challenging symptoms following spinal cord injury. You may experience burning, tingling, or shooting sensations due to misfiring nerves. For some individuals receiving stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, these symptoms become less intense or more manageable. This could be related to how certain types of stem cells interact with immune cells and inflammatory pathways.
Studies have suggested that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), for example, can release bioactive molecules that influence the environment surrounding injured nerves and even interact with neural cells in spine and brain conditions. In some cases, patients also describe less spasticity or tightness in the muscles, which can reduce discomfort during sleep or daily movement.
Improved Circulation and Motor Function
Stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury may support vascular health and contribute to smoother movement. Reduced blood flow after a spinal cord injury can limit your body’s ability to heal or respond to therapy. You might notice cold extremities, swelling, or slower wound healing. Stem cell therapy may support microvascular repair by promoting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels in damaged tissues. This improved circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients more efficiently to the affected areas. Some individuals receiving stem cell therapy report smoother joint movement, greater control over posture, and better balance during transfer or mobility tasks.
Increased Muscle Strength and Abilities
Muscle engagement and strength may increase as nerve signals improve. After a spinal cord injury, the connection between your brain and muscles may be disrupted or weakened. Over time, this can lead to muscle wasting or limited control. For individuals receiving stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury, some report noticeable changes in muscle tone, voluntary movement, or strength, especially in the lower limbs or core. These observations tend to occur in cases where some nerve pathways remain intact.
For example, a patient with an incomplete thoracic injury might regain the ability to perform assisted standing exercises or show improvements in hip stability. While not every case leads to increased muscle output, any gains in strength can contribute to mobility training, sitting tolerance, and daily activities.
Patient Experience and Reported Outcomes
Individuals receiving therapy frequently describe improvements in mobility, energy levels, and daily activity. Each patient arrives with unique goals. Some hope to walk again. Others want to reduce fatigue or rely less on medications. After therapy, individuals often share changes that impact their quality of life, such as being able to transfer with less assistance, participate in treatment longer, or sleep more comfortably.
At Stemedix, we focus on your specific history, symptoms, and expectations before building a treatment plan. These outcomes help us communicate realistic possibilities, while always making it clear that regenerative medicine is still considered experimental.
How Stemedix Approaches Stem Cell Therapy for SCI
Every individual with a spinal cord injury has a different medical background and a different journey. That’s why your treatment experience with Stemedix begins with your history, not just your condition.
Customized Treatment Based on Patient History
Stemedix develops treatment plans based on medical records submitted by the patient. If you’ve already received a spinal cord injury diagnosis, our team starts by reviewing the medical documents you send us. This includes imaging studies, physician assessments, and any other relevant details about your injury. By focusing on those who have already completed a diagnostic evaluation, we’re able to provide a more appropriate regenerative therapy experience.
We do not perform physical exams or order MRIs. If your current records are outdated, we can help gather updated information on your behalf once you sign a simple medical release form. This makes sure that our team has the most accurate data to tailor a regenerative approach based on your unique condition, designing therapy around what your body truly needs, not generalized assumptions.
Role of Board-Certified Physicians and Care Coordinators
Each case is reviewed by board-certified physicians experienced in regenerative medicine. When you choose to move forward, your medical information is assessed by physicians who specialize in regenerative therapies. They have experience working with spinal cord injury patients and understand how stem cell therapy may support certain biological functions involved in healing.
Patients are supported by dedicated Care Coordinators who handle logistics, scheduling, and communication. You won’t be left navigating the details alone. Once your evaluation is underway, a Care Coordinator will work closely with you to keep the process on track. This includes walking you through the next steps, answering questions, and helping schedule your treatment. Having one point of contact makes the entire journey easier to follow and less overwhelming.
Patient Support Services and Accommodations
Stemedix offers assistance with travel arrangements, transportation, and medical support equipment. Whether you’re located nearby or traveling across the country, we help remove logistical barriers. Our team can coordinate hotel stays, provide complimentary ground transportation, and arrange for wheelchair-accessible options if needed.
Whether a patient is local or traveling from another state, Stemedix helps coordinate hotels and driver services to make the process more accessible. Your focus should be on preparing for therapy, not stressing over logistics.
Getting Started with Stemedix
How to Connect with a Care Coordinator
Our Care Coordinators are ready to assist you at every step. They can answer your questions, review your medical documents, and guide you through the application process. From your initial inquiry through follow-up care, they provide consistent support to help you understand the next steps in pursuing stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury.
What to Expect During the Treatment Process
Once your case is reviewed and approved by our physicians, you will receive a customized treatment plan with a scheduled date for your therapy. Treatment is provided in a licensed medical facility under the supervision of experienced professionals. After treatment, ongoing follow-up is available to monitor your progress and provide additional support as needed.
Contact Stemedix Today
If you are interested in learning more about stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury, request an information packet today. The team at Stemedix is here to guide you on your journey to better health. Call us at (727) 456-8968 or email yourjourney@stemedix.com to know more.
Autoimmune and rheumatic diseases affect millions of people worldwide and can involve the joints, skin, gut, nervous system, and many other organs. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and Sjögren’s syndrome often cause chronic pain, fatigue, and progressive damage.
Standard treatments usually focus on calming the immune system with medications such as steroids, immunosuppressants, or biologic drugs. While these can be effective, they often come with side effects, do not work for everyone, and rarely offer a true long-term cure.
Because of this, there is growing interest in therapies that can not only reduce inflammation but also help reset the immune system and support tissue repair.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are among the most studied cell types in this field. An extensive new analysis of randomized controlled trials focused specifically on MSCs for autoimmune and rheumatic diseases to better answer two key questions: how well do they work, and how safe are they?
Understanding Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Role in Immune Disease
Mesenchymal stem cells are a type of adult stem cell that can be isolated from many tissues, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, placenta, and dental pulp. They can renew themselves, form bone, cartilage, and fat cells under certain conditions, and, significantly, interact with the immune system.
MSCs have low expression of surface markers that typically trigger rejection, so they can often be used from a donor without provoking a strong immune response. They can also “sense” inflammatory signals and respond by releasing a range of anti-inflammatory and tissue-supporting molecules. These include cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that can influence T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and other immune system influencers.
Because of these properties, MSCs are being studied as a way to calm overactive immune responses, promote immune tolerance, and support repair in tissues damaged by chronic inflammation. Researchers are exploring their potential as an add-on or alternative to traditional immunosuppressive therapies in many autoimmune and rheumatic conditions.
How the Study Was Conducted
To get a clearer picture of MSCs across diseases, Zeng et al. performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. They searched major English and Chinese medical databases through December 2023 and identified 42 randomized controlled trials involving 2,183 participants.
These trials covered several autoimmune and rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondyloarthritis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and primary Sjögren’s syndrome.
The research team looked at how MSC therapy affected symptoms, disease activity scores, pain scales, and other clinical measures in each disease. They also carefully examined safety by comparing rates of adverse events, such as infections, worsening disease, and other complications, between MSC-treated patients and control groups.
Overall Findings: Promising Benefits in Some Diseases, Mixed Results in Others
The conclusion from this analysis is that MSC therapy shows encouraging benefits in several autoimmune and rheumatic diseases, while in others, the results are more modest or still unclear.
For osteoarthritis, MSC injections into the joint were associated with meaningful improvements in pain and function. Across multiple trials, patients who received MSCs from bone marrow, umbilical cord, or adipose tissue reported less pain on visual analog scales and better scores on standard osteoarthritis questionnaires, particularly in the adipose-derived MSC group. Stiffness did not consistently improve, but overall pain and function did.
In systemic lupus erythematosus, MSC therapy led to significant reductions in disease activity scores and improvements in kidney-related measures such as protein in the urine. Complement levels, which are often low in active lupus, improved in the MSC-treated group. These changes suggest a significant impact on the underlying immune activity, not just symptoms.
In inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, MSC therapy improved clinical response and remission rates compared to control treatments. This aligns with previous work showing benefits in challenging cases, such as complex perianal fistulas.
By contrast, in multiple sclerosis and systemic sclerosis, the meta-analysis did not show a clear improvement in key outcomes such as lesion number or disability scores for MS, or consistent, statistically strong benefits for SSc. That does not mean there is no benefit at all; it may reflect limited trial numbers, small sample sizes, or the need for more optimized treatment protocols.
For conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and primary Sjögren’s syndrome, the results are encouraging but still based on relatively few randomized trials. Early studies suggest improvements in pain, function, disease activity scores, and gland function, but larger, longer-term trials are needed.
Key Findings Across Individual Diseases
In patients with knee osteoarthritis, intra-articular MSC injections improved pain and physical function. Patients who received MSCs, especially from adipose tissue, reported better walking ability, reduced discomfort, and overall improved joint function. Although cartilage regeneration is still being actively studied, these results support MSCs as a potential tool for symptom relief and functional improvement.
In rheumatoid arthritis, a small number of trials showed that bone marrow–derived MSCs were well tolerated and associated with reduced disease activity, better joint symptoms, and meaningful response rates that lasted up to a year in many patients. Immunologic measures also shifted in a more favorable direction, with reduced inflammatory signals.
In spondyloarthritis, early data from a single randomized trial suggest possible improvement compared to a standard biologic treatment, but the evidence base is still very limited.
In systemic sclerosis, one trial using adipose-derived regenerative cells suggested some improvement in hand function and disability scores in patients with diffuse cutaneous disease, especially over longer follow-up, but not all results reached statistical significance.
In primary Sjögren’s syndrome, MSC therapy improved dryness symptoms, salivary and tear gland function, and reduced disease activity scores in the trial included in this review. Laboratory markers such as immunoglobulin levels and inflammatory markers also improved.
In systemic lupus erythematosus, MSCs reduced disease activity and improved kidney involvement, while maintaining a safety profile similar to standard therapy.
In inflammatory bowel disease, MSC therapy improved clinical efficacy without raising the rate of adverse events, supporting its role as a potential option, particularly in complex or treatment-resistant cases.
In multiple sclerosis, MSC therapy did not significantly improve lesion counts, lesion volume, or disability scores in the combined analysis of randomized trials. However, many early-phase, non-randomized studies still support the safety of MSCs and suggest potential benefits that need confirmation in better-designed, larger trials.
Safety Findings: No Increase in Adverse Events
One of the most important questions for any new therapy is safety. In this extensive review, MSC transplantation did not increase the risk of adverse events in the conditions studied.
For osteoarthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis, the rates of adverse events were similar between MSC-treated patients and control groups. In other words, adding MSC therapy did not make side effects more common. Notably, there was no signal that MSCs increased serious risks such as infections, malignancy, or severe treatment-related complications across these trials.
This supports the idea that MSC therapy, when prepared and administered under appropriate clinical protocols, has a favorable safety profile in autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. However, as with any treatment, patients should be monitored carefully, and long-term follow-up remains essential.
Immune Regulation by MSCs in Autoimmune and Rheumatic Disease
Although each disease is different, many autoimmune and rheumatic disorders share a common theme: the immune system loses tolerance and begins attacking the body’s own tissues. MSCs seem to help by gently “rebalancing” the immune system rather than shutting it down completely.
MSCs can reduce overactive T and B cell responses, promote regulatory T cells that help maintain tolerance, and shift inflammatory cells toward more calming, tissue-protective roles. They also release factors that support tissue repair, improve the local microenvironment, and influence pathways involved in healing and regeneration.
This multi-layered action may explain why MSCs show promise across different diseases that all have an immune and inflammatory component, even though the specific organs affected are not the same.
Remaining Challenges and Future Directions
Despite promising signals, the authors of the review emphasize that MSC therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that there is still work to be done. Different studies used different cell sources, doses, timing, and treatment schedules. These differences likely contribute to the variation in results.
The researchers also suggest that MSCs are most likely to be effective when combined with other treatments rather than used alone, that early intervention may be more beneficial than late-stage treatment, and that multiple doses may be more effective than a single infusion in some cases. They also stress the importance of tailoring protocols to the specific disease and patient rather than applying a rigid standard formula.
Larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed, especially in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and primary Sjögren’s syndrome, where early results are promising but not yet definitive.
What These Findings Mean for Patients
For patients and families living with autoimmune or rheumatic immune diseases, this analysis offers cautious optimism. The evidence suggests that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may help reduce symptoms and disease activity in several conditions, especially osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, and primary Sjögren’s syndrome, with encouraging signals in rheumatoid arthritis and some others.
Just as importantly, MSC therapy appears to have a favorable safety profile in the clinical trials analyzed, with no increase in overall adverse events compared to standard treatments or placebo.
However, MSC therapy is still being actively studied, and it is not yet a universally established standard of care for these diseases.
As research continues, the goal is to refine MSC-based treatments so they are safer, more consistent, and more effective, helping address the unmet needs of people living with chronic autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.
Source: Zeng, L., Liu, C., Wu, Y. et al. Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation in the treatment of autoimmune and rheumatic immune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Stem Cell Res Ther 16, 65 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04184-x
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