Cell Therapy

In the early stages of cell therapy, organs from animals were ground and used for treatment. Later, the process evolved to extract specific cells or cellular components. Today, advancements allow for the cultivation of cells and the selection of only the strongest stem cells. However, most people are unaware that stem cells vary greatly in quality—ranging from relatively inexpensive options costing tens of thousands of baht to premium-grade stem cells priced in the millions. The higher the cost, the better the quality—reflected in the cell storage process, cultivation standards, and precise selection of top-performing cells, which together ensure both safety and optimal effectiveness.

There are five key standards for high-quality stem cell production:

1. GTP (Good Tissue Practice) – Ensures that the source tissue for cultivation is of high quality and free from contamination.

2. ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) or US-FDA – Governs the production of stem cells for medical use.

3. ISCT (International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy) – Certifies the integrity and suitability of stem cells.

4. ISO Certification – Ensures safety and accuracy throughout every stage of the process.

5. GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) – Guarantees consistency and high standards in all production processes.

Growth factor

Growth factor is a protein that stimulates various cells to grow, repair themselves, produce essential substances, or develop into specific types of cells. For example, it can stimulate skin cells to produce collagen and elastin, making the skin beautiful and strong. It also helps cells divide to heal wounds, promotes the formation of cartilage in knee joints, and stimulates hair follicles to produce thicker, stronger, and more numerous hairs.

The easiest and highest quality source for extracting growth factors is blood, which can come from either oneself or another person. Using one’s own blood provides a sense of safety since it is autologous, but the downside is that the type and concentration of growth factors cannot be precisely controlled, which may reduce treatment effectiveness.

On the other hand, when growth factors are extracted from donor blood, the quality, type, and concentration can be carefully tested and tailored to meet specific needs. However, there is a risk of contamination by substances or pathogens, so the production process for growth factors from donor blood must adhere to strict standards and thorough screening to ensure maximum safety. This makes the cost of growth factors derived from donor blood higher than those from one’s own blood, but the quality and effectiveness are also superior.

Growth Factor (cell repair stimulator) or PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

Blood is mainly composed of four components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Inside the platelets, there are substances that stimulate cell repair. Injecting platelets into the knee joint means injecting these cell repair stimulators directly into the knee, helping the knee cells to recover better and reducing inflammation effectively. This accelerates the repair process in the knee, making it faster than usual. It is a method that is effective, safe, highly efficient, and has minimal side effects.

However, using platelet-rich plasma derived from one’s own blood sometimes cannot control the exact amount of Growth Factor. In some individuals, the platelets may contain diluted Growth Factor, so when their own platelets are injected, the results may not be noticeable. Currently, Growth Factors can be extracted from platelets and prepared as a ready-to-use formula, which has a higher concentration of Growth Factor. This allows for better control over the type and amount, making it more suitable for patients with joint degeneration.

Injecting with ready-made Growth Factor products is therefore more effective and shows clearer results than using one’s own blood. It is ideal for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. For those with moderate osteoarthritis, about three consecutive injections may be needed to see clear results. After the injection, there may be mild pain and swelling, which usually lasts no longer than three days.