An ischaemic stroke happens when a blocked artery cuts off blood flow to part of the brain, killing brain cells and often causing weakness, speech problems or other disability. Stem cells are being studied to see whether they can calm harmful inflammation in the days after a stroke or support the brain’s own repair during recovery.
AT A GLANCE · STROKE
| Evidence level | Promising – in clinical trials |
|---|---|
| Approved stem cell treatment? | No stem cell therapy is approved for stroke by the US FDA, the European EMA or regulators in Japan. |
| Typical private price | $10,000 – $50,000 (indicative) |
| Recruiting trials | 18 listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (4 October 2026) |
| Last reviewed | October 2026 |
Does stem cell therapy work for stroke?
A 2019 Cochrane review of 7 randomised trials with 401 people found that stem cells were linked to slightly lower neurological impairment scores but not to better independence or daily function, and the evidence was low to very low certainty. A 2025 meta-analysis of 13 randomised trials (872 patients treated within a month of stroke) reported more people reaching good functional outcomes, with no increase in serious side effects, but the trials were small and varied. 8% on placebo, which was not a real difference.
The related US-led phase 3 MASTERS-2 trial paused enrollment in 2023 after an interim review found it was unlikely to reach its main goal at its current size. Small trials of cells injected directly into the brain for chronic stroke have shown mixed early results. Overall, stem cells for stroke are safe enough to keep testing but not proven to improve recovery.
Is any stem cell treatment approved for stroke?
No stem cell therapy is approved for stroke by the US FDA, the European EMA or regulators in Japan. All legitimate use is in registered clinical trials.
What private clinics offer — and how it compares
Private clinics offer IV or spinal stem cell infusions months or years after a stroke, promising better movement, speech or memory. Controlled trials, mostly given within days of a stroke, have not shown clear functional benefit, and there is even less evidence for treatment long after a stroke.
Proven treatments to discuss first
Before paying for an experimental option, make sure you have explored the established treatments for stroke with your doctor:
- Emergency clot-busting medicine or mechanical clot removal (thrombectomy) in the first hours
- Care on a specialist stroke unit
- Intensive rehabilitation: physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy
- Secondary prevention: blood pressure control, antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicines, statins, diabetes control
- Lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, exercise and diet
- Newer rehab-paired approaches, such as vagus nerve stimulation for arm recovery, where available
How much does stem cell therapy for stroke cost?
Private clinics typically quote $10,000 to $50,000. There is little systematic reporting of stroke-specific clinic prices; general reporting on unapproved stem cell clinics describes charges from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per course, plus travel. These figures are approximate. Compare prices by country in our cost guide and location guides, and check insurance coverage.
Risks and side effects
- Infusion reactions, fever and infection
- Blood clots or blockages from cells given into the bloodstream or arteries
- Seizures, bleeding or infection from direct brain injections
- Interference with blood thinners or other stroke medicines
- High costs and time taken away from rehabilitation
Recruiting clinical trials for stroke
On 4 October 2026, ClinicalTrials.gov listed 18 recruiting or soon-to-recruit stem cell studies for this condition, 2 with sites in the United States. Here are up to eight, latest-stage first:
| Study | Phase | Locations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Phase IIa Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Infusion of hUC-MSCs in Patients With AIS | Phase 2 | China | Recruiting |
| Intracerebral Autologous Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Stroke Patients | Phase 2 | Japan | Recruiting |
| Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-derived Small Extracellular Vesicles May Promote Neurological Function and Improve Cognitive Impairment in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients | Phase 1/Phase 2 | China | Recruiting |
| Human Placenta-derived 3D Mesenchymal Stem Cells(Guojianqingke) | Phase 1/Phase 2 | China | Recruiting |
| The STem Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicle Therapy In Acute Ischemic Stroke (STEVIA) | Phase 1 | South Korea | Recruiting |
| The Safety and Efficacy of [investigational cell product] in Ischemic Stroke | Phase 1 | China | Recruiting |
| MSC Secretome Therapy for Cognitive Recovery After Subacute Ischemic Stroke | N/A | Indonesia | Recruiting |
| Neurologic Stem Cell Treatment Study | N/A | United Arab Emirates, United States | Recruiting |
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
- How do your results compare with the large TREASURE and MASTERS-2 trials that did not show clear benefit?
- What timing after stroke has your treatment been tested for, and does that match my situation?
- How will my blood thinners and blood pressure medicines be managed around the procedure?
- Will this replace or add to my rehabilitation programme, and who monitors me afterwards?
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 to restore movement or speech years after a stroke
- Advice to stop blood thinners or other prevention medicines around treatment
- Claims to be part of a ‘trial’ that charges you and is not listed on a public registry
Stem cell therapy for stroke: FAQs
Does stem cell therapy work for stroke?
It is still being tested. Some pooled analyses suggest small benefits, but the largest trials, such as TREASURE in Japan, did not show a clear improvement over placebo. It should be tried only in clinical trials for now.
Is stem cell therapy FDA approved for stroke?
No. There is no FDA-approved stem cell treatment for stroke. The proven treatments are emergency clot-busting or clot-removal therapy, stroke unit care, rehabilitation and preventing another stroke.
How much does stem cell therapy for stroke cost?
At private clinics, prices typically range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, plus travel. Insurance does not usually pay for unapproved treatment.
Can stem cells help years after a stroke?
There is very little good evidence for chronic stroke. Small trials of cells placed directly into the brain have had mixed results, and most larger trials treated people within days of their stroke.
Is stem cell therapy for stroke covered by insurance?
Generally no, because it is unapproved. Taking part in a registered clinical trial is usually free. Rehabilitation and prevention medicines are typically covered.
Related guides
- Stem cell therapy for autism
- Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury
- Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis
- Stem cell therapy for ALS
- All conditions · Types of stem cell treatment · Clinical trials hub
Sources
- Stem cell transplantation for ischemic stroke (Cochrane Review, 2019)
- Efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for acute and subacute ischemic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis (Scientific Reports, 2025)
- Cell therapy not superior to placebo in patients with ischemic stroke — TREASURE trial (CGTLive)
- ‘Disappointing’ results from MASTERS-2 interim analysis (NeuroNews International)
- Stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials (Stem Cell Research & Therapy)
- 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.