How does stem cell therapy compare to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell therapy both promote healing but work in different ways. PRP uses the patient’s own blood platelets, which contain up to 12 growth factors to aid in clotting and tissue repair. In contrast, Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) therapy, sourced from umbilical cord tissue or the patient’s own body, provides over 80 growth factors along with live cells that adapt to the specific needs of damaged tissues. This makes MSC therapy a more advanced and dynamic approach to regeneration and healing.

Are all umbilical cord stem cells made equally?

All stem cells are remarkably similar, but how they are processed and cultured can significantly impact their viability. Stem cells are delicate and require careful handling to ensure their quality is not compromised. Inadequate testing and improper use of preservatives, radiation, and chemicals can all result in stem cell death and poor-quality yield.

At RMI, we have our own lab and a team of highly trained professionals to ensure a high viability rate, guaranteeing the most effective stem cells for you. This means you can benefit from both quality and quantity, giving you the best of both worlds.

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How do Stem Cells work?

The key function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) is their ability to release powerful bioactive molecules that promote healing, reduce inflammation, and regulate the immune system. These molecules can also activate the body’s own stem cells to repair damaged tissues. Despite being donor cells, MSCs are rarely rejected by the immune system, making them a safe and effective option for regenerative therapies. Scientific research continues to show their potential in treating various health conditions and age-related issues.

How do umbilical cord stem cells compare with bone marrow stem cell therapies?

One of the most important differences, and one of the advantages, is that no harvesting is involved in umbilical cord stem cell therapies.

Harvesting MSCs from the patient’s bone marrow or adipose tissue involves a surgical procedure with a needle placed into the bone, abdomen, or other selected areas. It can pose various risks and complications, including chronic pain, nerve damage, infection, organ perforation, and fractures. Also, depending on your age, the quality of stem cells declines rapidly. MSCs harvested later in life harbor the accumulated environmental and aging-related damage, and sometimes, the patient doesn’t have enough tissue to harvest.

Umbilical cord stem cells don’t possess the harvesting risks that bone marrow and adipose tissue have.

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How do you screen the cells for diseases?

On the day of collection, a microbiologist meets with the donor and mother to sign the informed consent, and a blood sample is taken from the donor. Once the umbilical cord is collected, both samples are immediately transported to the lab for processing. The documents are reviewed, and the blood is tested for infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis B. If the sample is cleared, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are extracted, briefly expanded, and then frozen for future use. A final quality check ensures the cells can grow and differentiate properly—if not, they are discarded. Because MSCs from umbilical cords are extremely young, they are free from environmental damage that can affect stem cells collected later in life from bone marrow or fat tissue.