Rheumatoid arthritis: what Cheongdam Cell Clinic states about stem cells

Rheumatoid arthritis appears on the list of 'difficult to cure diseases' on Cheongdam Cell Clinic's 淸(Rejuvenation)CELL programme page, alongside atopy, psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases, grouped together because all involve immune-system dysfunction.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of one's own joints, causing chronic inflammation, pain and swelling especially in the wrists and finger joints. Left untreated, it can lead to permanent joint deformity and disability. Diagnosis relies on blood tests such as RF and anti-CCP, combined with joint imaging.

The internationally accepted approach to rheumatoid arthritis is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, and biologic agents for patients who do not respond to first-line drugs. These treatments have clear clinical evidence and can significantly slow joint damage when started early.

Stem-cell research in autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis, explores the potential of mesenchymal stem cells to rebalance immunity and reduce inflammation. Most studies, however, remain small or early-stage, and none has been approved to replace DMARDs or biologics in the standard treatment guidelines of major international rheumatology societies.

Cheongdam Cell Clinic uses uncultured autologous bone-marrow stem cells in its 淸(Rejuvenation)CELL programme, which differs from the cultured mesenchymal stem cells often used in some autoimmune-disease research. This difference in cell type and processing is something patients should clarify directly with the clinic before deciding.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients on DMARDs or biologics should disclose all medications to the clinic's doctors before deciding, since some immunosuppressants can raise infection risk from any procedure, including bone-marrow harvesting. Always consult the treating rheumatologist beforehand.

In summary, rheumatoid arthritis patients should view Cheongdam Cell Clinic's programme as a supplementary option with limited evidence, should not stop DMARDs or biologics independently, and should keep a rheumatologist as the primary manager of their disease.