← Back to the care journey

EHL Thailand · Treatment example

Care journey example: rheumatoid arthritis

The sequence for people with rheumatoid arthritis who want to know where stem cell research fits in their care plan.

RASTEM Inj. · Last updated 3 Sept 2026

Direct answer

DMARDs and biologics with strong evidence remain the mainstay. Stem cell studies target immune modulation in people responding poorly and remain investigational.

Step by step

  1. 01. Send your question and basic information (Day 1)

    Complete the information-consultation form with your symptoms, how long you have had them, current medicines and previous treatments. The EHL Thailand information team replies in your dashboard. This step is educational information, not a diagnosis.

    Who is involved: You + EHL Thailand information team

  2. 02. Collect your medical documents (Week 1–2)

    Prepare discharge/treatment summaries, blood results, X-ray or MRI images and your medicine list. The more complete the records, the more accurate the eligibility review. Documents are used only with your consent (PDPA).

    Who is involved: You + your current treating doctor

  3. 03. Review the research evidence together (Week 2)

    The team compares MSC research in autoimmune disease with EHL BIO's RASTEM Inj. pipeline entry, and states plainly how much of its study status is public.

    Who is involved: Information team + content review panel

  4. 04. Clinical eligibility screening (Week 3–4)

    A rheumatologist reviews disease activity (e.g. DAS28), radiographic joint damage, latent infection and current drug response before any investigational option.

    Who is involved: The doctor or clinic responsible for care in Korea

  5. 05. Informed consent before deciding (Before travelling)

    Before deciding you should receive documents stating that the treatment is investigational and not registered in Thailand, the risks, the alternatives, the full costs, and what is still unknown. No outcome guarantee should ever be given.

    Who is involved: You + the treating doctor

  6. 06. Treatment and follow-up (From treatment day to 12 months)

    Disease activity scores, inflammatory markers (ESR/CRP) and joint function are followed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

    Who is involved: Treating doctor + your doctor in Thailand

Documents to prepare

  • Recent RF, anti-CCP, ESR and CRP results
  • Hand and foot radiographs
  • History of DMARDs and biologics already used
  • Tuberculosis and hepatitis screening results

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Which evidence-based drugs have not been used yet?
  • Could an investigational treatment disturb current disease control?
  • How much does infection risk increase?
  • Which measures will judge whether it worked?

Limits you must know

  • Stem cell treatment for these conditions remains investigational; it is not standard care.
  • EHL Thailand is an information and consultation channel, not a clinic, and does not diagnose or prescribe.
  • EHL BIO pipeline cell products have no published Thai registration status.
  • The timings shown are a general example and may change with documents, extra tests and clinical judgement.

Experts involved

  • EHL BIO Immune Cell Research Team — Immune cell therapy research and immune cell banking

    Keycell-IM programme (T, NK, iNKT and dendritic cells); the hospital's affiliated research centre states lung cancer as the preclinical target

    • The institution describes apheresis collection, activation culture and quality control.
    • This work remains investigational and is not approved cancer treatment.

    Source: EHL BIO — Immune Cell Therapeutics — https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/eng/rd/freezing/

  • EHL Thailand Research Desk — Reviews articles, research summaries and clinical trial status

    Careful reading of study results, including sample size, trial phase and limitations

    • Checks that every claim links to an openly viewable source.
    • Never uses cure or guarantee language, or claims approvals without documentation.

Reviewed by: EHL Thailand Research Desk — Clinical research reading and summarising

Research cited

  • MSC in autoimmune disease: research overview · phase2 · 2025
    The most advanced research is in graft-versus-host disease, lupus nephritis and fistulising Crohn's disease. Where products are approved, indications are very narrow.
    https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?intr=mesenchymal%20stem%20cell&cond=Autoimmune%20Diseases
  • EHL BIO GMP cell manufacturing centre · review · 2026
    Company public information describes the manufacturing centre, quality systems and cell handling processes. Certifications and current status should be verified at the source.
    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/eng/rd/gmp/
  • RASTEM Inj.: preclinical study in rheumatoid arthritis (hospital information) · preclinical · 2024
    The hospital's affiliated research centre states the non-clinical study is being completed and a clinical trial is in preparation. No human outcome data exist; patients should follow standard care such as methotrexate and biologics as prescribed.
    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/eng/rd/institute/

Related disease page

Rheumatoid Arthritis — An autoimmune disease causing chronic synovial inflammation and joint damage.