Lupus is the simplified term for an autoimmune medical condition known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. This disease displays classic autoimmune symptoms and afflicts one or more parts of the body. 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, 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 behind the disease involves stimulating the immune system to generate antibodies against itself (hence, its autoimmune nature), mainly targeting proteins in cell nuclei. 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 either females or males but is found more frequently in women, and the disease displays different symptoms for 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 over 20 neuro-psychiatric syndromes caused by systemic lupus erythematosus, severely damaging neural epithelial cells in 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) involving multiple elements that could cause negative autoimmune responses. This therapy is a multi-vector therapy for prototypical autoimmune disorders.

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Traditional Treatments for Lupus

One of the most significant issues with SLE is how it abnormally affects apoptosis (programmed cell death), in which the body can efficiently remove damaged or dead cells as part of the expected growth functioning. Typically, the immune system reacts to any foreign stimulus (virus, bacteria, or allergen). These protecting immune cells cannot be treated with chemotherapy and would otherwise be deactivated, becoming hyperactivated through the body, incorrectly signaling the need for antigen cells.^[4]

These unnecessary chain reactions quickly destroy surrounding cells in the body and expose their DNA, proteins, and vital parts of our cell nucleus. The autoimmune attack leads to new antibodies that clump into complex structures and stick to surfaces in our cardiovascular system, damaging blood vessels in crucial areas such as the glomeruli in the kidneys. This antibody attack and reaction are the root causes of SLE.

Stem Cell Treatment for Lupus in 2025

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 lupus and 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

1. 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)
2. Types of Injections for Treating SLE: UC-MSC+ Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Depending on the severity of the patient’s needs, treatment injections will be made via Intravenous Drip, Intra-Articular Injections, Subcutaneous Injections, Intramuscular Injections, Intrathecal injections, or a combination of methods using multiple delivery routes. Patients with various conditions may require cell delivery via CT-guided scope (Hospital Setting Only)
3. Rehabilitation Post Treatment: Physical Rehabilitation in Bangkok is optional but highly recommended. Complete physical rehab services post-therapy can be provided upon request for 2-3 hours per day and up to 5 days per week.
4. 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. Due to the varying degrees, areas, and sources of current damage, our medical team will need to better understand the patient’s health before accepting into the program. Upon completion of treatment evaluation, a detailed plan with patient-specific recommendations will be provided that will include the specifics, such as a day 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