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HomeIsolated Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis IBD
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Isolated Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis IBD

A patient-focused guide to Isolated Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis IBD, with clinical context, evaluation considerations and supporting information.

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Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are considered the two most common classifications of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These are immune-mediated diseases, similar in some ways to autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the digestive tract and causes long-term inflammation that affects its vital functions. People with IBD are more likely to have certain other immune-related conditions, such as SpA (Spondyloarthritides) disorders, but these are separate diseases. Conditions such as pancreatitis, Fibromyalgia, Type 1 diabetes, transverse myelitis and Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are also distinct conditions with their own causes and treatments.

IBD is a group of disorders that create prolonged Inflammation of the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum, while Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, including the:

    • Esophagus
    • Stomach
    • Mouth
    • Small & large intestines

 Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s Disease

Our digestive tracts are designed to break down our food, allowing the natural extraction of nutrients while simultaneously removing waste products. Prolonged Inflammation in our digestive tract severely disrupts this process, resulting in Diarrhea, Bleeding ulcers (hematochezia), severe pain, bloating, cramping, weight loss, multiple complications, higher risk of colon cancer, anemia, and, in some cases, death. If left untreated, the symptoms can spread to other parts of the body, resulting in joint pain, arthritis, eye inflammation, fevers, mouth sores, and skin disorders.

Possible complications associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s include:[1]

  • Fistulas ( ulcers in the bowel wall that create holes between and inside the digestive tract)
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Malnutrition
  • Colon cancer
  • Rectal Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Rupturing of the Intestines
  • The shock from rapid blood loss during a sudden and extended period of bloody diarrhea
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Crohns Disease & IBD

Ulcerative Colitis & IBD Autoimmune Diseases?

The definitive causes and triggers of IBD are still debated. Still, functional medical specialists believe that the IBD, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, and SLE family has a specific genetic predisposition and can be directly linked

Anatomy guide

A guide to the large intestine

The main regions of the colon and rectum.

1. Ascending colon
The section rising from the cecum.
2. Transverse colon
The section crossing the upper abdomen.
3. Descending colon
The section descending on the opposite side.
4. Sigmoid colon and rectum
The curved lower section and the final part of the bowel.

with over 165 particular genes in our bodies. Most doctors believe the culprit is a combination of environmental and hereditary conditions triggered by environmental factors, resulting in a sudden bacterial shift. These are examples of autoimmune diseases that can develop after an abnormal immune response. External factors like stress and dietary habits can significantly worsen the symptoms of IBD; however, they typically do not cause the disease.[2]

There are several tests available today that can quickly diagnose UC (ulcerative colitis) and Crohn’s disease. Blood tests are commonly used to look for signs of Inflammation or anemia, but they cannot confirm IBD on their own. Stool samples can also be used to rule out infection and to check for intestinal inflammation. Diagnosis is usually confirmed with a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy test that uses long, thin tubes with lighted cameras to enter a patient’s intestine for visual inspection and to take tissue samples, i.e., “biopsy.” Genetic testing is not routinely used to diagnose IBD. Other minimally invasive tests to verify intestinal issues include MRI Scans, CT (CAT) scans, Ultrasound Scans, or capsule endoscopies.

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Common Autoimmune Diseases – Symptoms & Treatment Options

Treatments for Crohn’s Disease

Traditional treatment for IBD typically requires a wide variety of pharmaceutical medications, ranging from:

  • Corticosteroids & Prednisone
  • Biologic therapies
  • Antibiotics
  • Immunosuppressive medications

Patients with a chronic condition or a severe diagnosis may require surgery to remove the large intestine. Afterwards, some people need an ileostomy, an opening in the abdomen that drains into an external pouch, while many people with ulcerative colitis can have an internal pouch made from the small intestine instead. A large number of Crohn’s disease patients often require strictureplasty surgery and or corrective surgery to repair fistulae and strictures to stop the bleeding in the intestines. Some people with IBD find that certain foods, such as greasy or spicy foods, worsen their symptoms, although diet alone does not cause or cure the disease, and research into how diet affects gut inflammation and cell signaling continues. A low-fiber diet may be advised during flares or for people with narrowed bowel (strictures), while many patients can eat a varied diet that includes fiber when their disease is controlled, so diet plans should be tailored by a gastroenterologist or dietitian.

Treating Ulcerative Colitis With Stem Cells

Our hospital for stem cells offers an investigational cell-based approach for people with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, used alongside standard medical care. Stem cell therapy for Crohn’s is being studied for its ability to calm the immune response, using laboratory-expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are different from hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. In laboratory studies, MSCs do not induce interferon-γ production, lymphocyte proliferation, or up-regulation of the activation markers. The infused UC-MSC+ cells help improve the autoimmune disease by promoting a shift from pro-inflammatory to beneficial anti-inflammatory cytokines at and near the site of injury. Enhanced Mesenchymal cells have low immunogenicity, which means they are less likely to trigger rejection, but they are not fully matched to the recipient and, like any treatment, they carry risks [3]. Researchers are studying whether MSCs can support healing in the intestines; local injections of adipose-derived stem cells have been tested for complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease.[4]

Transplantation of enhanced mesenchymal stem cells helps restore patients’ natural immunocompetency and prevents the autoimmune process from progressing. Patients of nonspecific ulcerative colitis will require a multi-stage approach over a period of two weeks at our outpatient stem cell clinic in Bangkok.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s & IBD

Treat the source, not the symptoms. The regeneration center helps fight inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease on the cellular level using a safe and effective protocol that does not require general anesthesia or invasive surgery and can be used to successfully manage a wide variety of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as:

  • Diversion colitis
  • Behçet’s disease
  • Collagenous colitis
  • Indeterminate colitis
  • Lymphocytic colitis
  • Microscopic colitis
  • Ischemic colitis
  • Lymphocytic colitis [5]
  • Digestive System Diseases
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Intestinal Diseases
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s & IBD

The treatment using stem cells offers tangible hope for patients looking to eliminate pain safely. However, please note that stem cells cannot treat a genetic disease; instead, they treat the condition on the cellular level.

The goals of using UC-MSC+ Cells for inflammatory bowel diseases are to:

  • Relieve the pain and symptoms of Crohn’s disease
  • Reduce the activity of the chronic inflammatory condition
  • Decrease the system inflammation while treating the ulcers in the small and large intestines
  • Restore the digestive system’s health and function
  • Enhance the body-diverse microbiome
  • Reduce bouts of rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, constipation and diarrhea
  • Restore the patients’ health and balance

UC-MSC+ Crohn’s Therapy Guidelines for 2026

Treatment Method: 
The number of Stem Cell Injections will vary based on patient needs. Multiple stages may be required for severe gastrointestinal (GI) tracts.

Types of Cell Infusion: Enhanced Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UC-MSC+ Cells). The exact protocol for the patient will depend on various factors such as age and underlying condition. To qualify for treatment, a medical review will be required. Depending on the patient’s physical needs, treatment cell infusions will be administered via guided scanners (if/when necessary) or via a non-invasive, painless IV, “Intravenous Drips,” that do not require anesthesia or an overnight hospital stay. Direct injections or sub-Q injections may be required in some cases.

Clinical guide

Cell sources and terminology

A guide to the source labels used in the laboratory illustration.

  1. Adipose tissue

    ADSC

  2. Bone marrow

    BM-MSC

  3. Peripheral blood

    PB-MSC

  4. Placental tissue

    P-MSC

  5. Umbilical cord

    UC-MSC

  6. UC-MSC+

    The Regeneration Center’s terminology used in this article.

Cost of Treating UC & IBD With UC-MSC+ Stem Cells

The treatment for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s will require 10-16 days in Bangkok. Due to varying degrees of disease progression, our medical team will need to better understand a potential patient’s needs before a treatment prognosis can be provided. Upon completion of the evaluation, a detailed treatment plan shall be provided that includes all specifics related to the patient’s needs, such as the exact number of nights required in Thailand and the total medical-related costs for the entire treatment. Please prepare your recent medical records and diagnostic test results, and contact us today to begin your inquiry.

Rehab After Treatment: Physical rehabilitation is optional, depending on patients’ travel/time constraints. Complete physical rehab programs can be provided to patients at a partner hospital for 2 to 4 hours per day, 7 days per week. Medical visas for longer travel and extended stay apartments or hotel accommodations for the patient and family can also be requested.

Published Clinical Citations

[1] ^ Blanc, K Le, L Tammik, B Sundberg, S E Haynesworth, and O Ringdén. 2003. Mesenchymal stem cells inhibit and stimulate mixed lymphocyte cultures and mitogenic responses independently of the major histocompatibility complex. Scandinavian journal of immunology, no. 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12542793

[2] ^ Ciccocioppo, Rachele, Alessandra Gallia, Adele Sgarella, Peter Kruzliak, Paolo G Gobbi, and Gino Roberto Corazza. 2015. Long-Term Follow-Up of Crohn’s Disease Fistulas After Local Injections of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, no. 6. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.03.023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26046409

[3] ^ Martínez-Montiel, María Del Pilar, Gonzalo Jesús Gómez-Gómez, and Ana Isabel Flores. 2014. Therapy with stem cells in inflammatory bowel disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology, no. 5 ( 7). doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i5.1211. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24574796

[4] ^ Portilla, F de la, F Alba, D García-Olmo, J M Herrerías, F X González, and A Galindo. 2012. Expanded allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (eASCs) for the treatment of complex perianal fistula in Crohn’s disease: results from a multicenter phase I/IIa clinical trial. International journal of colorectal disease, no. 3 (September 29). doi:10.1007/s00384-012-1581-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23053677

[5] ^ Sánchez-Berná, Isabel, Carlos Santiago-Díaz, and Juan Jiménez-Alonso. 2014. [Immunomodulatory properties of stem mesenchymal cells in autoimmune diseases]. Medicina clinica, no. 2 (March 15). doi:10.1016/j.medcli.2014.01.014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24636281