How do I know the MSC cells I receive are good quality?

Quality is demonstrated by documentation, not description. Ask for the lot release certificate showing cell identity, viability at release, passage number, sterility, mycoplasma and endotoxin results. If a clinic cannot show that paperwork for your specific lot, quality has not been demonstrated.

What is a normal viability figure for MSC products?

Release specifications commonly require high viability measured close to administration, and the certificate should state both the figure and the time it was measured. A viability number from weeks earlier, or with no measurement point stated, does not describe what you are actually receiving.

Why does passage number matter?

Cells are expanded through successive passages, and their characteristics can drift as passage number rises. Programmes therefore set a maximum passage in their specification. Knowing the passage number of your lot tells you whether it sits within that limit.

What tests confirm the cells really are MSCs?

Identity is confirmed by surface marker analysis, typically showing expression of markers such as CD73, CD90 and CD105 with absence of haematopoietic markers, together with the expected plastic adherence and differentiation behaviour. This is standard characterisation, not an optional extra.

What should I do if a clinic will not share documentation?

Treat it as a decision point. Release documentation exists for every properly manufactured lot, and sharing it with the patient receiving it is normal practice. Refusal usually means the paperwork is generic, out of date, or does not exist for that lot.

How Do You Know the MSC Cells You Receive Are Good Quality?

Two patients can be told they are receiving the same treatment and receive products that are not comparable at all. The difference is documented in laboratory paperwork that most patients are never shown. This article explains exactly what to ask for and how to read it.

Why Cell Quality Varies Between Providers

Donor screening standards differ, and so does the tissue the cells come from
Culture media and expansion methods are not standardised across laboratories
Passage limits vary, and some products are expanded well beyond conservative limits
Release testing may be thorough, minimal, or performed on a different lot entirely
Cold chain and time to administration affect what actually reaches the patient

None of this is visible in a brochure, which is why the question has to be asked directly. Source differences are compared in UC-MSC versus autologous cells.

The Documents That Actually Prove Quality

Lot release certificate — specific to the batch you will receive
Characterisation report — surface markers confirming cell identity
Sterility and endotoxin results — with test dates, not just a pass claim
Laboratory accreditation — of the facility that manufactured the lot
Chain of custody — how the product travelled from laboratory to clinic

Facility standards in Thailand are covered in our article on healthcare and laboratory standards.

A Release Certificate Checklist

Item	What to look for	Why it matters
Lot identifier	Matches the vial used on your treatment day	Links the paperwork to your actual dose
Cell count and dose	Stated numerically, not described as a package	Makes the treatment reproducible and reviewable
Viability	Figure plus the time it was measured	Old measurements do not describe current product
Passage number	Within the stated specification limit	Characteristics drift with excessive expansion
Identity markers	Positive and negative marker panel reported	Confirms the product is genuinely MSC
Safety testing	Sterility, mycoplasma, endotoxin with dates	The core patient-safety requirement

Ask for this before travel, not on the day, when declining is much harder.

Confirming the Cells Are Genuinely MSCs

Expression of characteristic markers such as CD73, CD90 and CD105
Absence of haematopoietic and endothelial markers
Plastic adherence in culture under standard conditions
Demonstrated differentiation capacity in validation testing

These are widely used minimal criteria rather than a premium feature. Programme detail is on our MSC therapy page.

Handling, Transport and the Final Hour

Temperature-controlled transport with a recorded log
A defined maximum interval between release and administration
Visual inspection and lot verification against your file at the bedside
Administration by the planned route, at the planned rate
Documentation of everything given, filed in your medical record

How this fits into the treatment day is described in our step-by-step MSC therapy walkthrough.

Answers That Should Stop the Conversation

"Our cells are the highest quality" with no certificate offered
Dose described only as a package tier rather than a cell count
Documentation available only after payment
No named laboratory, or a laboratory that cannot be identified
Testing results dated well before your lot was prepared

The same standard should apply wherever you are treated — the criteria are summarised in how to compare providers in Thailand.

Ask Us for the Documentation First

We are happy to walk through sourcing, laboratory standards and release testing before you make any decision about treatment. MRC Healthcare is a physician-led regenerative medicine group in Bangkok.

Schedule a Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Suitability is decided case by case after a medical review of your history, current medications and recent laboratory or imaging results. Our physicians confirm whether a regenerative or supportive treatment is appropriate for you, or whether another pathway would serve you better.

Yes. Every international patient begins with a free online discovery call. You share your records, our medical team reviews them, and only then is a plan discussed. You can book a consultation here or message us on WhatsApp at +66 81-734-2027.

It depends on the treatment pathway and how many sessions your physician recommends. Most international patients plan a short stay that covers assessment, treatment days and a follow-up review before flying home. Our guide for international patients explains the typical sequence and travel logistics.

Care is delivered by licensed physicians in a facility that follows international quality and laboratory standards, with screened, ethically sourced biological material and documented handling at every step. Risks, benefits and alternatives are explained during consent so you can make an informed decision.

Outcomes vary between individuals and no clinic can promise a specific result. Regenerative and supportive therapies are used to support the body's own repair and function, and your physician will explain realistic expectations, the evidence behind the approach and how progress will be monitored.

Yes. A large share of our patients travel from Australia, Singapore, the UK and Europe. Our team coordinates in English, handles scheduling around your flights and shares written aftercare notes you can pass to your doctor at home. See our services overview for what is available on site.