The short answer
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease or other autoimmune conditions read that stem cells might “reset” the immune system. This guide calmly explains what is being studied, what is not proven and how to evaluate an offer. For the vast majority of autoimmune diseases, mesenchymal stem cell therapy is experimental and should be offered within clinical trials. It does not replace care from your rheumatologist, neurologist or gastroenterologist.
Reviewed by the YOU Medicine medical team. Last reviewed: 2026-10-27. Educational information; it does not replace a medical consultation.
Two very different therapies that often get confused
“Stem cells for autoimmune disease” can mean two different things:
- Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT): an intensive hospital procedure involving chemotherapy, used in specialist centres for selected cases of highly active multiple sclerosis, severe systemic sclerosis and a few other conditions. It carries serious risks and is not performed in outpatient clinics.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from fat, bone marrow or umbilical cord, given intravenously or locally. They are studied for their effects on inflammation and the immune system, but for autoimmune disease they remain investigational.
What mesenchymal cell studies show
There are early trials in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease (including perianal fistulas), type 1 diabetes and others. Some report improvement in inflammatory markers or symptoms in some patients; others find no benefit over placebo. Many studies are small, uncontrolled or have short follow-up.
In short: the science is interesting and moving forward, but today it cannot be said that mesenchymal cells reliably control an autoimmune disease or allow you to stop medication.
Why researchers are interested in mesenchymal cells
In the laboratory, mesenchymal cells release signals that modulate lymphocytes and macrophages, key players in autoimmune inflammation. They seem to act mainly through those signals (including vesicles such as exosomes) rather than by turning into new tissue. That ability to “calm” immune responses in the lab is what motivates human trials.
But what happens in a culture dish does not always happen in the body. Most intravenously infused cells are trapped in the lungs and disappear within days, and it is still unclear what dose, source or frequency would be appropriate, if any.
State of research by condition (summary)
This summary is educational and research changes; your specialist is the right person to judge how it applies to you.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus: small trials, mostly in lupus nephritis, with mixed results; not approved as standard treatment.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: early-phase studies focused on safety; clinical benefit not shown against current biologic treatments.
- Multiple sclerosis: mesenchymal cells remain under study; AHSCT is a separate therapy reserved for selected cases in specialist centres.
- Crohn's disease: complex perianal fistulas are the most studied use of locally applied mesenchymal cells, and even there the evidence is debated.
- Type 1 diabetes: exploratory trials; no mesenchymal cell treatment has been shown to remove the need for insulin.
- Systemic sclerosis: AHSCT has evidence in selected severe cases; mesenchymal cells are experimental.
What you should not do
- Stop or reduce immunomodulators, biologics or steroids without talking to your specialist.
- Accept a therapy presented as a cure, with success percentages or a guarantee.
- Pay for treatment without knowing which product is used, where it comes from and what documentation it has.
- Travel without a plan for follow-up once you are home.
How YOU Medicine can help
We do not offer stem cells as a treatment for autoimmune disease. What we can do is a consultation to review your case, explain the current evidence, help you look for registered clinical trials and discuss supportive measures coordinated with your specialist, such as joint-pain management or general wellbeing.
If you also have a localized joint problem (for example knee osteoarthritis) that could be assessed separately, we review it as a distinct condition with its own risks and alternatives.
How to look for a clinical trial
ClinicalTrials.gov is a public registry of studies worldwide. You can search by condition and “mesenchymal” to see active trials, their eligibility criteria and participating centres. Taking part in a registered trial is usually free for the patient and includes structured follow-up. Take what you find to your specialist and decide together.
Risks you should know
The risks of mesenchymal cells vary with the product, dose and route. Infusion reactions, fever, infections and, with poorly processed products, contamination have been described. Long-term questions remain open. The FDA and ISSCR both warn patients about clinics selling unproven therapies.
Questions to ask any clinic (including us)
In Colombia, INVIMA oversees medicines and biological products, and healthcare providers register in REPS. A general registration does not mean a specific treatment is approved for your condition, and it is not the same as US FDA approval. Always ask for the documentation of the specific product in your plan.
- Is the provider registered in Colombia's REPS (Ministry of Health) and are the doctors listed in ReTHUS?
- Exactly where do the cells or product come from, which laboratory processes them, and what INVIMA documentation exists for that product and use?
- What dose, route and number of sessions are proposed, and why?
- What evidence exists for my specific condition, what is still unknown, and what are the alternatives?
- Who follows me up once I am home, and what happens if there is a complication?
Where we are and how to start
YOU Medicine is at Cl. 10B #35-08, Edificio Santacoloma, Local 2, El Poblado, Medellín. We are open Monday to Friday 8:00–17:00 and Saturday 9:00–13:00 (Colombia time) by appointment, in English and Spanish. If you live outside Colombia you can start with a video consultation and send us your medical imaging and reports before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can stem cells cure lupus or rheumatoid arthritis?
No. There is no evidence that mesenchymal stem cells cure autoimmune diseases. They are being studied in clinical trials with variable results.
Does YOU Medicine offer stem cells for autoimmune disease?
Not as a treatment. We offer a consultation to explain the evidence, review your case and help you look for registered clinical trials, always in coordination with your specialist.
What is stem cell transplant for multiple sclerosis?
It is autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), a hospital procedure with chemotherapy reserved for selected cases in specialist centres. It is not the same as a mesenchymal cell infusion.
Can I stop my medication after stem cells?
No. Any change to your medication must be decided by your specialist.
How do I find a clinical trial?
On ClinicalTrials.gov you can search by condition and cell type. Review the criteria with your doctor before enrolling.
What should I ask a clinic offering this treatment?
Ask which product they use, where it comes from, what INVIMA documentation it has for that use, what evidence supports it, whether it is part of a registered study and who will follow you up.
Where to find us
Cl. 10B #35-08, Edificio Santacoloma, Local 2, El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
Monday to Friday 8:00–17:00; Saturday 9:00–13:00 (Colombia time)
Sources and official resources
- FDA: Important patient and consumer information about regenerative medicine therapies
- ISSCR: A Closer Look at Stem Cells (patient guide)
- INVIMA (Colombia): medicines and biological products
- MedlinePlus: Autoimmune diseases
- ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation
- ClinicalTrials.gov: mesenchymal cell trials in autoimmune diseases
Want to understand what options exist for your case?
Book an informational consultation. We review your history, explain the evidence and help you prepare questions for your specialist.