🧭 What Types of Stem Cells Are Used in Thailand?
In regenerative medicine, patients in Thailand may encounter mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies derived from umbilical cord tissue, bone marrow or adipose tissue.
They may also encounter concentrated autologous preparations such as bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF).
Exosomes and other extracellular vesicles are sometimes offered alongside these treatments, but they are not stem cells.
Thailand also performs hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for selected blood, immune and bone marrow disorders.
This is an established medical field that is fundamentally different from the MSC-based regenerative treatments discussed in this guide.¹
🔗 Read more → Stem Cell Therapy in Thailand: Complete Guide
🧬 What Are Mesenchymal Stromal Cells?
Mesenchymal stromal cells, or MSCs, are the cell population behind many regenerative medicine treatments offered internationally.
You will often see them called mesenchymal stem cells.
However, the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) recommends the term mesenchymal stromal cells unless true stem-cell properties have been specifically demonstrated.²
MSCs can be isolated from tissues including:
- umbilical cord tissue;
- bone marrow;
- adipose tissue;
- and several other connective tissues.
Classic ISCT criteria help researchers identify culture-expanded MSC populations using characteristics such as cell adherence, differentiation behavior and expression of markers including CD73, CD90 and CD105.³
These markers help confirm what type of cells are present.
They do not prove that a particular product will work clinically.
Research comparing umbilical cord-, bone marrow- and adipose-derived MSCs under harmonized manufacturing conditions has also found persistent differences related to both tissue source and individual donor.⁴
Why this matters: “MSC therapy” is not one standardized treatment. The tissue source, donor, manufacturing process and final cell product can all influence what is actually being administered.
🧫 What Are Umbilical Cord-Derived MSCs?
Umbilical cord-derived MSCs, or UC-MSCs, are usually isolated from connective tissue within donated umbilical cords, particularly Wharton’s jelly.
Because the cells come from a donor rather than the patient, UC-MSC therapies are generally allogeneic.
The cells can be isolated, expanded under controlled laboratory conditions, tested and prepared before the patient arrives.
This avoids the need for a bone marrow aspiration or fat-harvesting procedure.
This manufacturing model also makes it possible to produce larger standardized batches.
However, the term UC-MSC does not tell you everything about the product.
Important variables can include:
- donor screening;
- tissue source;
- culture and expansion process;
- passage number;
- total viable cell count;
- sterility testing;
- functional or potency testing;
- storage conditions;
- and post-thaw quality where cryopreserved cells are used.
🛡️ Are Umbilical Cord MSCs “Immune Privileged”?
Not completely.
Allogeneic MSCs have important immunomodulatory properties and relatively low immunogenicity, which is one reason they are widely studied.
But “immune privileged” can imply that the recipient's immune system cannot recognize them at all.
Research has shown that allogeneic MSCs can express HLA antigens and, under some conditions, generate immune responses.⁵
For patients, this makes donor screening, manufacturing quality and appropriate clinical oversight important even when cells are marketed as highly immune-tolerant.
🩸 Are Umbilical Cord MSCs the Same as Cord Blood Stem Cells?
No. Cord tissue and cord blood contain different types of cells.
Wharton’s jelly and other regions of umbilical cord tissue can be used to isolate MSCs.
Umbilical cord blood, by contrast, is an important source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
These blood-forming cells are used in transplantation medicine for selected hematological and immune disorders.¹
This distinction matters because the phrase “umbilical cord stem cells” is sometimes used without explaining which tissue or cell population is actually being administered.
🦴 What Are Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell Treatments?
Bone marrow is another major source of cells used in regenerative medicine, but “bone marrow stem cell treatment” can describe very different products.
The most important distinction is between BMAC and culture-expanded bone marrow MSCs.
🧪 What Is the Difference Between BMAC and BM-MSCs?
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate is not the same as culture-expanded BM-MSC therapy.
BMAC is usually produced by drawing bone marrow, commonly from the pelvis, and concentrating the aspirate.
The resulting preparation contains a mixture of:
- nucleated cells;
- platelets;
- progenitor populations;
- signaling molecules;
- and a relatively small population of MSCs.
Research characterizing bone marrow concentrates has shown that the process concentrates multiple cellular populations and growth factors rather than creating a purified MSC product.⁶
Culture-expanded BM-MSC therapy is different.
MSCs are isolated from the bone marrow and grown in culture to increase their numbers before administration.
The result is a more defined MSC population, but the additional manipulation also introduces manufacturing and regulatory considerations.
🧪 What Are Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Treatments?
Adipose tissue, or body fat, is another accessible source of stromal and progenitor cells.
However, the term adipose-derived stem cells can also refer to more than one type of preparation.
🔬 What Is the Difference Between SVF and Adipose-Derived MSCs?
Stromal vascular fraction, or SVF, is not the same as a culture-expanded adipose MSC product.
SVF is obtained from adipose tissue and contains a heterogeneous mixture of cells, including stromal, vascular, immune and progenitor populations.
Culture-expanded adipose-derived stromal cells are subsequently isolated and grown under controlled conditions.
International cell-therapy organizations have therefore published separate characterization criteria for freshly isolated SVF and culture-expanded adipose stromal cells.⁷
This distinction is particularly important when a clinic advertises a large number of “adipose stem cells.”
The better questions are:
- What exactly was isolated?
- Were the cells culture-expanded?
- Which population was counted?
- How was cell identity established?
A cell number is only useful if you understand what was actually counted.
🔬 Are Exosomes Stem Cells?
No. Exosomes are not stem cells.
They belong to the broader category of extracellular vesicles (EVs), small membrane-bound particles released by cells.
EVs can transport proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other biological signals between cells. This has generated considerable interest in their potential therapeutic applications.
However, EV preparations can vary substantially.
The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles' MISEV2023 guidance emphasizes careful reporting of how extracellular vesicles are produced, isolated and characterized.⁸
For patients, this means the word “exosome” alone does not establish product quality.
Useful questions include:
- Which cells produced the extracellular vesicles?
- How were they isolated?
- How was particle concentration measured?
- How was purity assessed?
- What characterization testing was performed?
- What sterility controls were used?
⚖️ Umbilical Cord vs Bone Marrow vs Adipose: What Is the Difference?
The three major tissue sources differ not only in where the cells originate, but also in how the final treatment is usually produced.
There is no scientifically defensible rule that says one of these sources is universally superior.
The relevant evidence depends on the specific condition, product, manufacturing method, dose and delivery route.¹
🎯 Which Stem Cell Type Is Best?
There is no single best stem cell type for every patient or condition.
A clinic may prefer UC-MSCs because they avoid patient harvesting and can be manufactured in advance.
Another physician may prefer an autologous bone marrow approach for a particular orthopedic application.
Neither argument should be accepted solely because of the tissue source.
This distinction becomes especially important when comparing international treatment programs.
A 100-million-cell UC-MSC infusion and a same-day BMAC injection are not simply different doses of the same treatment.
They are different biological interventions.
🧾 How Much Does Stem Cell Product Quality Matter?
A great deal. Cell source alone cannot establish the quality of a stem cell product.
When reviewing an expanded MSC treatment, useful information can include:
- exact tissue source;
- autologous or donor-derived status;
- expanded or non-expanded preparation;
- total viable cell count;
- viability testing;
- identity testing;
- sterility testing;
- passage history;
- and functional or potency testing where appropriate.
This is why comparing clinics solely by advertised cell count can be misleading.
Two clinics can both advertise 100 million MSCs while using products manufactured, stored and tested in very different ways.
❄️ Are Fresh MSCs Better Than Frozen MSCs?
Not automatically.
Cryopreservation can influence cell characteristics, but optimized manufacturing and thawing procedures can preserve strong post-thaw viability and functional properties.
A 2024 study demonstrated that appropriately optimized cryopreservation conditions could maintain clinically relevant MSC quality after thawing.⁹
The better question is not simply:
“Are the cells fresh or frozen?”
It is:
“What quality and release specifications does the product meet when it is administered?”
🇹🇭 How Are Stem Cell Products Regulated in Thailand?
Thailand regulates advanced cell-based therapies through its evolving framework for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).
In March 2026, the Thai FDA described an end-to-end framework covering authorization before human use, manufacturing and laboratory oversight under GMP requirements, and product registration for ATMPs intended for commercial sale.¹⁰
The Thai FDA also operates pathways through which qualifying products may be used in patients within an authorized research context.
This creates an important distinction for international patients:
A stem cell treatment being available in Thailand does not automatically mean that the exact cell product is Thai FDA-registered as an approved commercial medicine for that indication.
When comparing providers, ask for the exact product, manufacturer and regulatory pathway rather than relying solely on statements that treatment is “legal” or “approved.”
🔗 Read more → Stem Cell Therapy in Thailand: Regulations, Treatments, Costs & What to Know
🌟 Key Takeaway: Compare the Product, Not Just the Cell Source
When comparing stem cell therapy in Thailand, asking whether a clinic uses umbilical cord, bone marrow or adipose-derived cells is a useful starting point.
It should not be the end of your due diligence.
UC-MSCs, expanded BM-MSCs, BMAC, adipose-derived MSCs, SVF and extracellular vesicles differ in how they are collected, processed, characterized and delivered.
Those differences can matter more than the marketing label attached to them.
🌐 Not Sure Which Stem Cell Option Is Right for Your Situation?
Comparing stem cell clinics in Thailand can become confusing quickly, especially when different clinics recommend very different approaches.
STEMCIERGE helps international patients compare treatment options and vetted regenerative medicine providers in Thailand based on their condition, priorities and medical history.
We can help you understand:
- what type of cell product a clinic is proposing;
- how different treatment protocols compare;
- what questions to ask about manufacturing and cell quality;
- and which providers may be appropriate to explore further.
Take the FREE 3-minute Assessment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are UC-MSCs better than bone marrow stem cells?
UC-MSCs are not universally better than bone marrow-derived cells. Tissue source can influence biological characteristics, but the appropriate product depends on the condition, manufacturing process, delivery method and supporting clinical evidence.⁴
Are donor stem cells safe?
Allogeneic MSCs are widely studied because of their immunomodulatory characteristics and relatively low immunogenicity. However, they are not completely invisible to the immune system. Donor screening, manufacturing quality and appropriate clinical oversight remain important.⁵
Are fresh stem cells better than frozen stem cells?
Not necessarily. Cryopreservation can affect cell characteristics, but validated manufacturing and thawing processes can preserve high post-thaw viability and functional properties.⁹
Is BMAC the same as MSC therapy?
No. BMAC is a concentrated mixture derived from bone marrow and contains multiple cell populations, platelets and signaling factors. Culture-expanded BM-MSC therapy involves isolating and expanding an MSC population before administration.⁶
Is SVF the same as adipose-derived MSC therapy?
No. SVF is a heterogeneous cell fraction obtained from adipose tissue. Culture-expanded adipose MSCs are isolated and expanded populations with different characterization criteria.⁷
Are exosomes stem cells?
No. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by cells. They can carry biological signaling material, but they are cell-free products and should not be described as stem cells.⁸
What is Wharton’s jelly?
Wharton’s jelly is a connective tissue within the umbilical cord that can be used as a source of mesenchymal stromal cells. It is different from umbilical cord blood, which is primarily used as a source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
🔖 Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
STEMCIERGE is not a medical provider and does not replace consultation with a qualified physician. Stem cell and regenerative medicine treatments vary in their evidence, regulatory status, risks, suitability, and availability by condition and jurisdiction.
Always discuss your individual medical history, treatment options, potential risks, and expected outcomes with an appropriately licensed healthcare professional before making any medical decision.
📚 References
¹ International Society for Stem Cell Research. Stem Cell Resources for Patients. Guidance on established blood stem-cell transplantation and experimental stem-cell interventions.
² Viswanathan S, et al. Mesenchymal stem versus stromal cells: ISCT Mesenchymal Stromal Cell committee position statement on nomenclature. Cytotherapy. 2019.
³ Dominici M, et al. Minimal criteria for defining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. Cytotherapy. 2006.
⁴ Calcat-i-Cervera S, et al. Harmonised culture procedures minimise but do not eliminate mesenchymal stromal cell donor and tissue variability in a decentralised multicentre manufacturing approach. Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2023.
⁵ Chang SH, Kim HJ, Park CG. Allogeneic ADSCs Induce the Production of Alloreactive Memory-CD8 T Cells through HLA-ABC Antigens. Cells. 2020.
⁶ Schäfer R, et al. Quantitation of progenitor cell populations and growth factors after bone marrow aspirate concentration. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2019.
⁷ Bourin P, et al. Stromal cells from the adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction and culture expanded adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells: a joint statement of the IFATS and ISCT. Cytotherapy. 2013.
⁸ Welsh JA, et al. Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles 2023 (MISEV2023): from basic to advanced approaches. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles. 2024.
⁹ Tan Y, et al. Key quality parameter comparison of mesenchymal stem cell product cryopreserved in different cryopreservation solutions for clinical applications. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 2024.
¹⁰ Thai Food and Drug Administration. Road to ATMPs: Thai FDA Affirms Thailand Will Not Be Left Behind. March 9, 2026.
