Caution should be the watchword for patients seeking stem cell therapy

Stem cell transplants for kidney disease patients in Thailand led to the growth of previously undocumented cell clusters, according to an article in the influential scientific journal, Nature, raising questions about the nature and legality of stem-cell therapy provided by some clinics.

These lesions were described in a study published online on June 17 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (D. Thirabanjasak et al. J. Am.Soc.Nephrol.doi:10.1681/ASN.2009111156; 2010).

There are hundreds of clinics providing unverified and loosely regulated stem cell therapies, particularly in China and Thailand. This case serves as a warning to patients considering such treatments, the report said.

The patient in question had Glomerular disease from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In 2006, she received treatment at a private clinic where her own blood stem cells were injected into her kidneys. Blood stem cells can develop into any type of blood cell. Details about the clinic and the rationale for the treatment were not disclosed.

After six months, she began experiencing pain and blood in her urine. A radiology test revealed a 4-centimetre mass in her left kidney and smaller masses in her kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands. Doctors at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok removed the kidney, suspecting malignancy, but further examination revealed otherwise.

"I've never seen anything like this before," said Paul Thorner, a pathologist from Toronto's Children's Hospital in Canada, who collaborated with Chulalongkorn University and co-authored the study. Thorner coined the term "angiomyeloproliferative" to describe the expansion of blood vessels and bone marrow-derived cells observed.

The article reported that the patient eventually passed away, although Canadian pathologists did not conduct an autopsy; their analysis was limited to the excised kidney. Nonetheless, Paul Thorner confirmed: "Stem cell treatment did not improve her condition at all."

Nature noted that many patients are receiving experimental stem cell therapies, but follow-ups to confirm safety or effectiveness are often minimal. Another case involved a young boy who, after receiving stem cell therapy from the foetal placenta at a clinic in Russia, developed tumours in his brain and spinal cord.

Fourteen years later, on October 24, 2024, the Kom Chad Luek news website reported on the human organ trafficking ring’s plans to produce stem cells, specifically from the placentas of babies with O-type blood. 

Jirayu Huangsap, adviser to the prime minister, stated that it was time Thai society was informed about the human organ trade. He noted that when mothers give birth, they often do not think about keeping the placenta. Once discharged, they take their babies home, giving medical staff an opportunity to sell the placenta, particularly those with O-type blood, as it’s ideal for stem cell production. The placentas are often transported via app-based public transportation services to reach buyers, with high activity reported in Bangkok.

A lawyer representing affected clients stated that the case came to light when a client, hired by a private company to develop stem cells, discovered that the placentas and umbilical cords had been sourced without legal consent. Investigations revealed that, over the past 7–8 years, the company had been using placentas and umbilical cords obtained without permission to produce stem cells.

Upon realising the actions were illegal, the employee resigned from the company, but the employer filed criminal charges against him. This led to today’s formal complaint submission, aiming to halt the unlawful trade of placentas and umbilical cords taken without consent, an offence under the Criminal Code. The complainant also seeks to stop this criminal activity, currently gathering names of private companies and hospitals involved, with estimates of over 100 entities having engaged in such acts more than 1,000 times.

On October 23, Dr Pasakorn Wanchaijiraboon noted a significant increase in legal cases related to exaggerated stem cell claims in clinics, with over 400 cases being prosecuted annually.

However, a survey by Post Today news website revealed that stem cell advertising by clinics continues to proliferate across online platforms, undeterred by legal regulations. Many well-known influencers also promote stem cell injections for treating various conditions and anti-ageing purposes, despite Ministry of Public Health regulations.

According to the Ministry of Public Health’s standards on cell-based medical services, stem cell treatments in medical facilities are only permitted for specific uses, such as: Hematopoietic stem cell transplants for blood disorders as specified by the Medical Council, including leukaemia, lymphoma, aplastic anaemia, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, congenital immunodeficiency, and other blood cancers.

Furthermore, stem cell use must be performed by licensed medical practitioners from institutions approved by the Medical Council.

Any stem cell injections beyond the treatments specified by the Medical Council, as openly advertised by clinics, are illegal. Despite the longstanding occurrence of these issues in society, the unlawful actions of these physicians remain unchecked and have even intensified. This is a matter that requires clarification from the relevant authorities.