IN SHORT
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), more accurately called mesenchymal stromal cells, are support cells found in bone marrow, fat, umbilical cord and other tissues. One MSC product is FDA-approved, for a rare transplant complication in children; most clinic uses are unproven.
What is mesenchymal stem cells (mscs)?
MSCs are cells that help support and signal to other tissues. In the lab they can turn into bone, cartilage or fat cells, which is why they are called ‘stem’ cells. Many scientists prefer ‘stromal cells’ because they do not behave like true stem cells in the body. They are the cell type most often sold by stem cell clinics.
How it works
MSCs are collected from bone marrow, fat or birth tissues such as umbilical cord. They can be used the same day after concentration, or grown in a lab to make larger doses. They are given by injection into a joint, under the skin, into the spine or by IV drip. Current research suggests they work mainly by releasing signalling molecules that calm inflammation, rather than by becoming new tissue.
Legal status
In the US, MSCs that are grown in a lab or used for a non-matching purpose are regulated as drugs (Section 351) and need FDA approval. The FDA approved its first MSC therapy in December 2024, for children with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease. In the EU, MSC treatments are advanced therapy medicinal products that need central authorisation. Japan has approved MSC products for graft-versus-host disease and, conditionally, for some other uses.
What the evidence shows
Graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplant has the best human evidence and the only US approval. For knee osteoarthritis, a 2025 Cochrane review of 25 trials found stem cell injections may slightly improve pain and function versus placebo up to six months, but the certainty was low.
A 2026 network meta-analysis found improvements did not reach a clinically meaningful level compared with hyaluronic acid. Trials in heart failure, stroke, Crohn’s fistulas and lung injury show mixed, mostly early results. Safety in regulated trials looks acceptable in the short term, with fever the most common side effect.
Commonly marketed for
- Knee, hip and shoulder arthritis
- Back and neck pain
- Sports injuries and tendon problems
- Anti-ageing and ‘longevity’ infusions
- Autoimmune and neurological conditions
- Erectile dysfunction and cosmetic skin treatments
Cost
Typical price range: $1,150 – $12,000. A 2017 study of 317 US clinics offering stem cell knee injections found prices from $1,150 to $12,000, averaging $5,156 per injection. Insurance generally does not cover unapproved uses.
Risks
- Infection at the injection site or in the blood
- Pain, swelling or flare after injection
- Immune reactions to donor cells
- Unknown long-term safety, including abnormal tissue growth
- Products that contain few viable cells or are contaminated
Questions to ask first
- Is this MSC product FDA-approved for my condition, or is it given in a regulated trial?
- Are the cells my own or from a donor, and how are they tested and processed?
- What is the evidence for my condition from randomised controlled trials?
- What are the total costs, and what happens if it does not help?
Before You Pay: The Stem Cell Clinic Checklist
- 20 questions every legitimate clinic should answer in writing
- A red-flag scorecard to spot unregulated marketing
- Realistic 2026 cost ranges: US, Mexico, Panama & Europe
- How to find a registered clinical trial
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): FAQs
Are mesenchymal stem cells the same as stem cells?
They are one type. Unlike blood-forming stem cells, MSCs have limited ability to renew themselves in the body. Many experts call them ‘stromal cells’ for this reason.
Is there an FDA-approved MSC treatment?
Yes, one, approved in December 2024 for children with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease. No MSC product is FDA-approved for arthritis, back pain or ageing.
Do MSC injections regrow cartilage?
There is no reliable evidence that MSC injections regrow cartilage in humans. Reviews find at most modest, short-term pain relief, with low certainty.
Where do clinic MSCs come from?
Usually from your own fat or bone marrow, or from donated umbilical cord tissue. The source affects quality, risk and how it is regulated.
How do I find a legitimate MSC trial?
Search ClinicalTrials.gov and ask your specialist. Genuine trials have ethics approval and regulator oversight, and they rarely charge participants.
Related guides
- IV Stem Cell Therapy
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
- Placental & Amniotic Stem Cell Products
- Exosome Therapy
- PRP vs Stem Cells
- All treatment types · Glossary
Sources
- FDA approves first mesenchymal stromal cell therapy (Dec 2024)
- Cochrane: Stem cell injections for osteoarthritis of the knee (2025)
- Intra-articular orthobiologics: network meta-analysis of RCTs (Arthroscopy, 2026)
- Umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells: from bench to bedside (review)
- EMA: Advanced therapy medicinal products overview
- FDA: Regulatory considerations for HCT/Ps — minimal manipulation and homologous use (2017 guidance)
- ISSCR Guide to Stem Cell Treatments
- Stem cell centers on the rise (AAOS cost survey)
Last reviewed October 2026. For general information only — not medical advice. We do not endorse any clinic or product. Always consult a qualified, licensed healthcare professional. See our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.