Chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss of kidney function, most often caused by diabetes or high blood pressure, that can eventually lead to dialysis or a transplant. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being studied because they may reduce inflammation and scarring in the kidney, rather than growing new kidney tissue.
AT A GLANCE · KIDNEY DISEASE
| Evidence level | Early research |
|---|---|
| Approved stem cell treatment? | No stem cell product is approved for chronic kidney disease by the US FDA, the European EMA, or regulators in Japan or Korea. |
| Typical private price | $5,000 – $30,000 (indicative) |
| Recruiting trials | 9 listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (4 October 2026) |
| Last reviewed | October 2026 |
Does stem cell therapy work for kidney disease?
Most of the encouraging data come from animals. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found 49 animal studies showing better kidney function and less inflammation after MSC treatment, but only three small human randomised trials with 86 participants, which showed no significant change in creatinine or GFR. A European randomised, placebo-controlled trial (NEPHSTROM, 2023) in 16 adults with diabetic kidney disease found donor MSCs were safe, with only a non-significant trend toward slower decline in kidney function.
Other early-phase studies of bone marrow or fat-derived cells in CKD confirmed short-term safety but did not show clear improvements in eGFR. A small Mayo Clinic study in renovascular disease reported better kidney blood flow and less inflammation at three months, and Mayo researchers say wider use may be a decade or more away. There is no human evidence that stem cells can reverse CKD or replace dialysis.
Is any stem cell treatment approved for kidney disease?
No stem cell product is approved for chronic kidney disease by the US FDA, the European EMA, or regulators in Japan or Korea. Kidney transplantation, which relies on a donated organ, remains the only way to replace failed kidneys. Cell treatments for CKD are only legitimately available in registered clinical trials.
What private clinics offer — and how it compares
Clinics advertise IV or direct kidney injections of umbilical cord, fat or bone marrow cells that they say can lower creatinine, regenerate kidneys and help patients avoid dialysis. Controlled human trials have not shown these benefits, and there is a published case of abnormal growths forming in the kidneys of a patient after cells were injected directly into them.
Proven treatments to discuss first
Before paying for an experimental option, make sure you have explored the established treatments for kidney disease with your doctor:
- Blood pressure control, often with ACE inhibitors or ARBs
- SGLT2 inhibitor medicines, which slow kidney decline in many people with CKD
- Good blood sugar control for diabetes, including newer medicines that protect the kidneys
- Diet advice from a renal dietitian (salt, protein, potassium and phosphate)
- Avoiding kidney-damaging drugs such as regular NSAID painkillers
- Planning for dialysis or kidney transplant when kidney function is very low
How much does stem cell therapy for kidney disease cost?
Private clinics typically quote $5,000 to $30,000. Clinic price lists for kidney ‘stem cell’ packages commonly range from about $5,000 to $30,000, often with repeat infusions advised; figures are not standardised or independently verified. Insurance does not cover these treatments. Compare prices by country in our cost guide and location guides, and check insurance coverage.
Risks and side effects
- Abnormal tissue growth in the kidney after direct injection of cells
- Infection, bleeding or kidney injury from injections into or near the kidney
- Fluid overload or dangerous potassium levels during travel and treatment
- Clots or reactions from IV-infused donor cells
- Delaying planning for dialysis or transplant, or stopping kidney-protective medicines
Recruiting clinical trials for kidney disease
On 4 October 2026, ClinicalTrials.gov listed 9 recruiting or soon-to-recruit stem cell studies for this condition, 5 with sites in the United States. Here are up to eight, latest-stage first:
See all matching studies on ClinicalTrials.gov. A listing is not an endorsement: registration does not mean a study is safe or effective, and genuine trials rarely charge you for the experimental treatment. Ask the study team about costs, placebo groups and follow-up before you enrol. See our clinical trials hub.
Questions to ask before you agree to treatment
- What eGFR and creatinine results have you measured in patients over at least a year?
- Is this a registered clinical trial with ethics approval and an FDA IND number?
- Will the cells be given by IV or injected into the kidneys, and what are the risks of each?
- Will you coordinate with my nephrologist, and will this affect my eligibility for a kidney transplant?
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
Red flags to watch for
- Promises that you will be able to avoid or come off dialysis
- Claims that cells will regenerate or ‘regrow’ kidney tissue
- Offering to inject cells directly into the kidneys outside a registered trial
Stem cell therapy for kidney disease: FAQs
Can stem cells repair damaged kidneys?
Not in people so far. Animal studies show promise, but small human trials have not shown meaningful improvements in kidney function. Research continues, but CKD cannot currently be reversed with stem cells.
Can stem cell therapy help me avoid dialysis?
There is no evidence that stem cell therapy can prevent or replace dialysis. Proven medicines such as SGLT2 inhibitors and blood pressure control can slow CKD, and transplant is the only way to replace failed kidneys.
Is stem cell therapy FDA approved for kidney disease?
No. The FDA has not approved any stem cell product for chronic kidney disease. Some academic centres run clinical trials, which do not charge patients.
How much does stem cell therapy for kidney disease cost?
Clinic packages are often advertised at around $5,000 to $30,000, sometimes with repeat treatments. These prices are not covered by insurance.
Is stem cell therapy for kidney disease covered by insurance?
No. Because it is unproven, it is not covered. Dialysis, transplant and standard CKD medicines are generally covered by insurance and Medicare.
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- All conditions · Types of stem cell treatment · Clinical trials hub
Sources
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Anti-Inflammatory Agents in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PMC, 2025)
- Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Diabetic Kidney Disease: NEPHSTROM (JASN, 2023)
- Immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in chronic kidney disease: a literature review (PMC, 2025)
- Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in renal diseases: narrative review (Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2024)
- Science Saturday: Seeking a cellular therapy for chronic kidney disease (Mayo Clinic News Network)
- FDA: Important patient and consumer information about regenerative medicine therapies
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.