Lupus is a simplified term for the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This disease exhibits classic autoimmune symptoms and affects one or more organs. The condition attacks the body’s connective tissues and eventually results in severe tissue damage and inflammation. It can lead to several severe dysfunctions including heart disease, autoimmune-related cardiomyopathies and DCM, CHF, lung disease COPD, IPF, nervous system, joints, kidney failure, PKD, liver failure, skin damage, and damaged blood vessels.[1]
Common symptoms include:
- Painful and swollen joint
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Hair loss
- Mouth ulcers
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Feeling tired
- A severe red-colored rash, which is most commonly on the face
The underlying mechanism of the disease involves stimulating the immune system to generate antibodies against self-antigens (hence its autoimmune nature), primarily targeting proteins in the cell nucleus. SLE is considered an unpredictable disease, as remissions could alternate with flare-ups. [2] The etiology of the disease is still unknown, although clinical trials and functional medicine have proven it to be triggered by several environmental factors, including:
- Steroids / Pharmaceutical Products
- Various types of viruses
- Overexposure to ultraviolet light
- Genetics /Hereditary
Lupus can occur in both males and females, but is more common in women, and the disease presents with different symptoms in each gender. Women have nearly 80% higher risk than men, most especially for women in their childbearing stages. Male patients tend to have more frequent seizures, chronic kidney disease, a lung disease caused by inflamed tissues, and peripheral neuropathy. Females, on the other hand, tend to relapse more frequently with more bouts of arthritis and dangerously low white blood counts.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The neurological and psychiatric syndrome can also be diagnosed if SLE attacks the peripheral or central nervous system. There are more than 20 neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, which damage neural epithelial cells within and around the blood-brain barrier.[3]
Some common and rare manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus include:
- Mood disorder & cognitive dysfunction
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Brain Injuries, Brain Strokes, or seizures
- Mononeuropathy
- Inclusion body myositis
- Polyneuropathy
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Myelopathy
- Early-onset MG
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Transverse myelitis disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- After heart disease or heart attacks
- Knee Degeneration
- Shoulder Degeneration
- Hip Injuries
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Cranial neuropathy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Plexopathy
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Maternal Lupus Linked With Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Anxiety disorders &/or psychosis
- Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis
- Autonomic disorder
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Cerebellar ataxia and multiple sclerosis are other rare manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus.
The Regeneration Center has developed a modified stem cell therapy for autoimmune disorders (UC-MSC+ Therapy) that incorporates multiple elements that may elicit adverse autoimmune responses. This therapy is a multi-vector therapy for prototypical autoimmune disorders.
]
Traditional Treatments for Lupus
One of the most significant issues with SLE is its abnormal regulation of apoptosis (programmed cell death), which is responsible for the efficient removal of damaged or dead cells during normal growth and function. Typically, the immune system responds to foreign stimuli (viruses, bacteria, or allergens). These protective immune cells are not amenable to chemotherapy and would otherwise be deactivated, becoming hyperactivated throughout the body and misdirecting antigen-presenting cells.[4]
These unnecessary chain reactions rapidly destroy surrounding cells in the body and expose their DNA, proteins, and vital components of the cell nucleus. The autoimmune attack leads to the formation of new antibodies that aggregate into complexes and adhere to surfaces within the cardiovascular system, thereby damaging blood vessels in critical areas, such as the glomeruli in the kidneys. This antibody attack and reaction are the root causes of SLE.
TREATMENT RISKS & PRECAUTIONS
Patients diagnosed with Lupus have many different symptoms and types of pain in multiple areas of concern. To qualify for our treatment, all patients must provide recent biochemistry results, urinalysis results, and radiologic scans. DNA testing for neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is advised. Our medical team must review your prior laboratory results and diagnosis before determining your eligibility to travel to Thailand for treatment.Stem Cell Treatment for Lupus in 2026
Due to their immunosuppressive properties, autoimmune diseases respond particularly well to a blend of enhanced mesenchymal stem cells. The most valuable component of this new lupus treatment is isolated and cultured allogeneic UC-MSC+ cells that use homing to areas needed and help with T-cell + dendritic cell proliferation. UC-MSC+ cells are the safest and most natural treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. UC-MSC+ cells help produce healthy CD4+, CD25+ & regulatory T cells.
With the benefits of regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy for lupus offers new hope for reversing severe autoimmune diseases such as SLE. Depending on the patient’s age and symptoms, “autologous” therapy might not be recommended. In most cases, we recommend enhanced allogenic stem cell therapy. The autoimmune aspect of lupus disorder can be managed by altering or “resetting “the immune response to naturally tone down the adverse effects of the disorder.[5]
General Treatment Overview
- The total number of UC-MSC+ stem cell infusions will depend on the patient’s needs. Total UC-MSC+ Hematopoietic Mesenchymal Stem cells (per Treatment stage protocol)
- Types of Injections for Treating SLE: UC-MSC+ Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Depending on the severity of the patient’s needs, treatment injections will be administered via Intravenous Drip, Intra-Articular Injection, Subcutaneous Injection, Intramuscular Injection, intrathecal injection, or a combination of routes. Patients with various conditions may require cell delivery via a CT-guided scope (Hospital Setting Only)
- Rehabilitation Post-Treatment: Physical Rehabilitation in Bangkok is optional but strongly recommended. Complete physical rehabilitation services post-therapy can be provided upon request, for 2-3 hours per day, up to 5 days per week.
- The total Treatment Time Required is estimated to be 10-14 days (depending on the type and seriousness of the condition). Medical and travel visas for extended accommodations at a hotel or apartment for the patient and family can also be provided upon request.
Cost of Treating SLE Lupus with Stem Cells
Our multi-stage treatment for SLE & Lupus with Stem Cells will require roughly two weeks in Bangkok, depending on the patient’s needs. Given the varying degrees, locations, and sources of current damage, our medical team will need to better understand the patient’s health before admitting them to the program. Upon completion of the treatment evaluation, a detailed plan with patient-specific recommendations will be provided, including a daily calendar with stages, the exact number of nights required, and the total medical-related costs (excluding accommodations or flights). To learn more about our multi-stage treatment protocol for the Autoimmune disease Lupus, please prepare your recent medical records, such as Antinuclear antibody (ANA), CBC, Liver, and Lung function tests, and contact us today.
Published Clinical Citations
[1] ^ Akawatcharangura, P, N Taechakraichana, and M Osiri. Prevalence of premature ovarian failure in systemic lupus erythematosus patients treated with immunosuppressive agents in Thailand. Lupus, no. 4 (November 29). doi:10.1177/0961203315617539. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26621134
[2] ^ Liang, Jun, and Lingyun Sun. 2015. Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for systemic lupus erythematosus. International journal of rheumatic diseases, no. 2 (January 22). doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12531. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25611801
[3] ^ Mohara, Adun, Román Pérez Velasco, Naiyana Praditsitthikorn, Yingyos Avihingsanon, and Yot Teerawattananon. 2013. A cost-utility analysis of alternative drug regimens for newly diagnosed severe lupus nephritis patients in Thailand. Rheumatology (Oxford, England), no. 1 (October 4). doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ket304. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24097289
[4] ^ Siripaitoon, B, S Lertwises, P Uea-Areewongsa, and B Khwannimit. 2014. A study of Thai patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in the medical intensive care unit: epidemiology and predictors of mortality. Lupus, no. 1 (August 22). doi:10.1177/0961203314548884. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25149601
[5] ^ Wang, Q, S Qian, J Li, N Che, L Gu, Q Wang, Y Liu, and H Mei. 2015. Combined transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells increases T regulatory cells in systemic lupus erythematosus with refractory lupus nephritis and leukopenia. Lupus, no. 11 (April 24). doi:10.1177/0961203315583541. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25914407