Ilustrasi terapi sel. Istimewa
Jakarta: Advances in medicine and medical technology, including stem cell therapy, are increasingly being utilized to treat a range of chronic and life-threatening diseases. This therapy is offering recent hope to patients who previously relied on long-term treatment. The growing field of regenerative medicine aims to repair or replace damaged tissues at the cellular level, representing a significant shift in how complex illnesses are approached.
Stem cells are, at their core, precursor cells capable of developing and differentiating into various new, healthy cell types to replace damaged cells within the body.
In the medical field, there are three primary sources of stem cells: bone marrow, peripheral blood, and blood and tissue from the umbilical cord. Each source has its own characteristics and challenges, particularly regarding availability and donor compatibility.
Stem cells from bone marrow require a 100 percent donor match for a transplant to be safe, a condition that is often hard to meet within a limited timeframe. Meanwhile, stem cells from umbilical cord blood tend to be more tolerant and do not require a perfect match between donor, and recipient.
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In Indonesia, stem cell therapy has received government support through strict regulations. The Indonesian Ministry of Health, through Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health, stipulates that cell-based therapies can only be performed after their safety and benefits have been proven, and they meet established quality standards.
Medical Advisor at PT Cordlife Persada, dr. Meriana Virtin, explained that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be used to treat a variety of diseases.
“Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be used to treat various diseases such as inherited blood disorders like thalassemia, childhood cancers such as leukemia, metabolic diseases, and severe immune system disorders,” said dr. Meriana Virtin in a statement on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Stem cell therapy, as a medical approach, continues to drive efforts to find stem cell sources that are more accessible, safe, and effective for patients in the future.
