Precision-selected. Performance-proven.
Golden Cells™ are our most advanced mesenchymal stem cells, carefully selected through a proprietary process to deliver the best possible outcomes. They represent the “gold standard” of cell therapy: precious, consistent, and designed to deliver the highest-quality care to every patient.
Not all stem cells are the same. After performing tens of thousands of procedures, our team at Riordan Stem Cell Institute noticed something remarkable: certain batches of mesenchymal stem cells consistently produced better clinical outcomes.
Through a detailed retrospective analysis, we identified a unique subset of umbilical cord–derived stem cells that demonstrated superior biological activity, viability, and consistency across patients. These cells are now known as Golden Cells™, and they’re at the core of our proprietary treatment protocols.
Types of adult stem cells.
Adult stem cells can be collected from bone marrow, fat, peripheral blood, umbilical cords, and placental tissue and others. Once harvested, they are processed and tested in the lab before being reintroduced to the patient. The most common types are mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells. Previously, our clinic provided stem cell-based treatmentsusing cells from several sources. Based on our internal evaluations, umbilical cord tissue–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) demonstrated more consistent product quality and reproducibility, and have been associated with better clinical outcomes in our practice.
Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells reside in the *umbilical cords of newborn babies. HUCT-MSC stem cells, like all post-natal cells, are “adult” stem cells. Stem Cell Institute utilizes cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which are isolated from the umbilical cord tissue. These cells are expanded into greater numbers at our lab in Panama, the laboratory founded by Dr. Neil Riordan, PA, PhD, under very strict, internationally recognized guidelines.
Bone Marrow Stem Cells
The bone marrow stem cell is the most studied of the stem cells, since it was first discovered in the 1960s. Originally used in bone marrow transplant for leukemias and hematopoietic diseases, numerous studies have now expanded experimental use of these cells for conditions such as peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, heart failure, and other degenerative disorders. Bone marrow is a good source of CD34+ stem cells (but a poor source of mesenchymal stem cells). Bone marrow-derived stem cells provide support for tissue regeneration through their revascularization properties and ability to support mesenchymal stem cells within the body.
Adipose (fat) Stem Cells
Fat stem cells are essentially sequestered and are not available to the rest of the body for repair or immune modulation. Fat-derived stem cells have been successfully used for treating companion animals and horses with bone and joint injuries over the past 15 years, yielding positive results. Adipose tissue is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and T-regulatory cells, which modulate the immune system. Adipose-derived cells can be used for treating systemic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. They also play a role in regenerating injured tissue. Over a decade ago, the Stem Cell Institute pioneered the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases using fat-derived stem cells. However, we no longer use a patient’s own stem cells from fat because we’ve found that mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue are superior.
Why umbilical cord-derived MSCs?
Dr. Riordan published the first article describing the treatment of humans with adipose-derived stem cells. Although we treated many patients with adipose-derived MSCs in Panama, we now use human umbilical cord tissue–derived MSCs (HUCT-MSCs) because they modulate the immune system more effectively, better control inflammation, and expand rapidly. The body does not perceive HUCT-MSCs as foreign, so they are not rejected; in thousands of patients, we have not seen a single case of graft-versus-host disease. Compared with “older” cells from bone marrow, HUCT-MSCs are more potent. And while cord blood is a source of CD34+ cells, it yields very few MSCs and is no longer used at the Riordan Center.
Our stem cells and the US FDA
Human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that were isolated and grown in our laboratory in Panama to create master cell banks have been used in the United States. These cells served as the starting material for cellular products used in MSC clinical trials for two patients with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy under the US FDA’s designation of Investigational New Drug (IND) for single-patient compassionate use. (IND 16026 DMD Single Patient)
Umbilical cord tissue collection
We receive cord donations from healthy women in Panama who provide consent, complete a detailed questionnaire, and give a blood sample. The mothers’ blood is thoroughly tested for HIV, hepatitis, and other infections, and only cords that are 100% safe are processed to extract stem cells. All cords are by-products of normal, healthy births and are screened under International Blood Bank standards.
Cell therapy administration
At Stem Cell Institute stem cells are administered in several ways depending on each patient’s ailment and physical condition. Patients typically receive a minimum of 3 stem cell applications during the course of an entire treatment protocol. Methods of administration include: Intravenous (IV), intramuscular, intra-articular, and intrathecal.
Explore the science, safety, and benefits of cellular therapy.
Have you wanted to explore stem cell therapy, but you’re not sure where to start? Our free guide answers the most common questions about what to expect, the science behind our proprietary Golden Cells™, and much more!
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