Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often treated with immune-suppressing medications like steroids, methotrexate, cyclosporine, gold, and more recently infliximab (Remicade).
While these can provide short-term relief, they may have long-term negative effects because they widely suppress the immune system. If traditional medicines like methotrexate don’t work, patients might use biologics such as abatacept (Orencia), adalimumab (Humira), or etanercept (Enbrel). However, these treatments do not fix any existing damage to the joints or surrounding tissues.
Even though new treatments have significantly helped patients with RA, up to 50% still do not see a major improvement. Stem cell therapy has shown strong healing results in animals with arthritis. For example, Vet-Stem uses stem cells in horses to heal joint problems more quickly.
Stem cells help heal damaged tissues and can also regulate the immune system, stopping harmful responses while still allowing the body to fight infections.
Specifically, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) move to inflamed areas and produce substances that reduce inflammation. These substances work locally and do not weaken the entire immune system.
Moreover, MSCs help produce T regulatory cells, which protect the body from attacking itself. A study on MSCs for rheumatoid arthritis showed that they significantly reduced harmful substances called IL-6 and TNF-α, without the long-term side effects of many current treatments.
We have seen improvements in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with umbilical cord tissue-derived MSCs at our facilities.
Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz is a world-renowned researcher and clinical and academic cardiologist, who has published more than 150 scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals, several books’ chapters, and books. He is also a sought-after speaker at international scientific conferences worldwide, an expert on stem cell therapy and research, and a public figure in medical media.
After stem cells my bloodwork came back showing absolutely zero inflammation. It actually looked perfect.
No need to collect stem cells from the patient’s hip bone or fat under anesthesia, which especially for small children and their parents, can be an unpleasant ordeal.
There is a growing body of evidence showing that umbilical cord tissue-derived (HUCT) mesenchymal stem cells are more robust than mesenchymal stem cells from other sources.
No need to administer chemotherapy drugs like granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF or GCSF) to stimulate the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and stem cells, and release them into the bloodstream.
Since HUCT mesenchymal stem cells are immune system privileged, cell rejection is not an issue and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching is not necessary.
The stem cells with the best anti-inflammatory activity, immune modulating capacity, and ability to stimulate regeneration can be screened and selected.
Allogeneic stem cells can be administered multiple times over the course of days in uniform dosages that contain high cell counts.
Umbilical cord tissue provides an abundant supply of mesenchymal stem cells.
We use NovaCell Institute’s Elite Cells™. Years-long retrospective analysis of patient outcomes has enabled us to identify and select the best cells for use in our patients.
One of our staff physicians will assign a stem cell treatment protocol after you have submitted all requested medical information and received approval. Your recommended protocol may differ from the example given below:
Note: Includes Hilton hotel room with breakfast, WIFI, transportation from and to the airport with VIP airport gate service and expedited customs clearance upon arrival.
No stem cell product from any source, including the patient’s own, is approved by the US FDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
However, human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells that were isolated and grown in our laboratory to create master cell banks have been used in the United States under US FDA regulation.
The body’s immune system is unable to recognize umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells as foreign, and therefore they are not rejected.
Human umbilical cord tissue stem cells have been administered tens of thousands of times at the NovaCell Institute, and there has never been a single instance of rejection (graft vs. host disease). As a matter of fact, allogeneic (not the patient’s own) mesenchymal stem cells are approved to treat graft vs. host disease in Canada and New Zealand.
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells also proliferate/differentiate more efficiently than “older” cells, such as those found in the fat, and therefore, they are considered to be more “potent”.
The adult stem cells used to treat rheumatoid arthritis at the NovaCell Institute come from human umbilical cord tissue (allogeneic mesenchymal). These stem cells are expanded at Barranquilla, Colombia’s state-of-the-art laboratory.
The mesenchymal stem cells we use are recovered from donated umbilical cords following normal, healthy births.
Each mother has her medical history screened and is tested for infectious diseases. Proper consent is received from each family prior to donation.
All umbilical cord-derived stem cells are screened for infectious diseases to International Blood Bank Standards before they are cleared for use in patients.
Only a small percentage of donated umbilical cords pass our rigorous screening process.
Proper follow-up is an essential part of stem cell therapy. Our primary goal is to ensure that your child is progressing safely. Regular follow-up also enables us to evaluate efficacy and improve our treatment protocols based on observed outcomes.
Therefore, our medical staff will be contacting you after 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year to monitor your child’s progress.
You can APPLY TODAY to find out if you are eligible for treatment, and a patient coordinator will reach out to will arrange for a free screening and consultation.
NovaCell Regenerative Medicine by Belleza
Cra 59B 81-143
Barranquilla, Colombia
Outside or Inside US Call:
Phone: +1 (754) 333-6754
Copyright 2026, NovaCell Institute in Barranquilla, Colombia. All rights reserved.
