Diseases

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This leads to little or no insulin production, requiring lifelong insulin injections or pumps. Stem cell therapy is being studied as a way to replace or regenerate these cells, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for external insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin and/or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. This leads to high blood sugar and long-term complications affecting the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes. Stem cell therapy aims to regenerate insulin-producing cells, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation, potentially lowering dependence on medication.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes hemoglobin. Normal red blood cells are round and flexible; in SCD they become rigid, crescent or “sickle”-shaped. These sickled cells can block blood vessels, causing pain, anemia, organ damage, and reduced lifespan. Gene-edited stem cell therapy aims to use a patient’s own blood stem cells, correct the faulty gene (via CRISPR or other editing tools), then transplant them back so that the body can produce healthy red blood cells, reducing or eliminating the sickle symptoms.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease in which cartilage (the protective tissue covering the ends of bones in joints) breaks down over time. This causes pain, stiffness, swelling, decreased mobility, and sometimes joint deformity. Conventional treatments manage symptoms (painkillers, physical therapy, injections, or joint replacement surgery), but do not reverse damage. Stem cell therapy aims to help by regenerating cartilage, reducing inflammation, restoring joint function, and possibly slowing or reversing the degeneration.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorder. The body’s immune system attacks myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This causes symptoms like muscle weakness, impaired coordination, fatigue, vision problems, numbness, and over time can lead to disability. Stem cell therapy in MS aims to either reset the immune system (so it stops attacking myelin) or promote repair of nerve damage (remyelination) and reduce ongoing neurodegeneration.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which dopamine-producing neurons in the brain (especially in the midbrain / substantia nigra) gradually decline. The reduced dopamine causes motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), reduced balance & coordination, and later non-motor symptoms. Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s aims to replace or regenerate the lost dopamine neurons (using embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or autologous sources), reduce the need for medications, improve quality of life, and possibly slow disease progression.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological condition mostly caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. It leads to problems with movement, posture, coordination, muscle tone, and sometimes speech or cognition. Because the brain damage is static (does not get worse over time), therapies aim to improve function, reduce symptoms, and harness neuroplasticity. Stem cell therapy for CP is being researched to help repair or protect damaged brain tissue, reduce inflammation, support regeneration, and improve motor outcomes

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Symptoms often include difficulty in understanding social cues, repetitive movements, limited interests, sensory sensitivities, and challenges in speech or nonverbal communication. While there is no cure for autism, therapies focus on behavioral interventions and support. Stem cell therapy is being studied as a potential treatment, aiming to reduce brain inflammation, regulate immune dysfunction, and improve neuronal connectivity.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) occurs when trauma, disease, or degeneration damages the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete loss of movement, sensation, and autonomic functions below the site of injury. Patients may experience paralysis, chronic pain, muscle weakness, or loss of bladder/bowel control. Current rehabilitation helps improve function but cannot restore nerve tissue. Stem cell therapy is being studied to regenerate nerve cells, restore connections, reduce inflammation, and promote functional recovery in SCI patients.

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Ischemia refers to reduced blood flow (often from blocked arteries), which can damage heart tissue, cause scarring, and weaken the heart’s pumping ability. Together, they lead to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, fluid retention, reduced strength, and risk of hospitalization. Stem cell therapy aims to repair or regenerate damaged heart muscle, reduce scar tissue, improve heart function, reduce inflammation, and ultimately improve quality of life in heart failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Chronic pain and neuropathy describe long-standing pain conditions caused by nerve injury or dysfunction (for example diabetic neuropathy, post-surgical neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome). Patients experience persistent burning, numbness, tingling, sharp pain, or loss of function that often does not respond well to standard medicines. Preclinical and early clinical research suggests mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and related cell therapies may reduce inflammation, promote nerve repair, and relieve neuropathic pain — but protocols and results vary and most approaches remain experimental.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. It affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Patients experience blurred or dark central vision, making it difficult to read, drive, or recognize faces. Standard treatments (like anti-VEGF injections) help slow progression in “wet AMD” but cannot restore lost retinal cells. Stem cell therapy aims to replace damaged retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and regenerate retinal tissue, potentially restoring vision.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow where abnormal white blood cells grow uncontrollably, impairing the body’s ability to fight infection; Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system affecting lymphocytes, leading to swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, and weight loss; and Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, which causes bone pain, anemia, kidney issues, and frequent infections. Traditional treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, but stem cell therapy — particularly Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) — offers a chance to rebuild the bone marrow with healthy stem cells, restoring the body’s ability to produce normal blood cells.

Stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). This leads to sudden brain cell damage and loss of functions such as movement, speech, memory, or vision. Many survivors live with long-term disability. Current rehab therapies aim to restore function, but they are often limited. Stem cell therapy is being investigated to repair brain tissue, promote neuroplasticity, reduce inflammation, and improve motor and cognitive recovery after stroke.

Back pain is one of the most common health problems worldwide, often linked to degenerative disc disease (DDD). Over time, the spinal discs — soft, cushion-like structures between the vertebrae — can wear down, lose hydration, or develop tears. This degeneration leads to chronic back pain, stiffness, limited mobility, nerve compression, and sometimes sciatica. Standard treatments include pain relievers, physiotherapy, steroid injections, or surgery (such as spinal fusion or disc replacement). However, these methods do not restore the disc structure. Stem cell therapy is being explored as a regenerative option to repair damaged discs, reduce inflammation, and restore spinal function.