Stem Cell Secretome for Chronic Pain — Exosome Injection for Disc Pain in 76 People and a Joint Pain Pilot (2026)

Summary — Research on stem cell secretome for chronic pain produced new human results in 2026. Researchers from the Stem Cell Institute of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City and a hospital in Vientiane, Laos, gave a single epidural injection of exosomes from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to 76 people who had lived with neck or low back disc pain for more than three months; two weeks later, 90.9% reported meaningful pain relief (Biomedical Research and Therapy, July 31, 2026). In September, a team in Austin, Texas, reported in Frontiers in Medicine that intravenous bone marrow stem cell secretome led to clear improvement in several symptoms in 6 of 10 people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition marked by persistent joint pain and fatigue. This article summarizes both studies, published in international journals within the last six months.

Why does chronic pain last so long?

Pain that continues for more than three months is called chronic pain. Even after the original injury should have healed, lingering inflammation or sensitized nerves can keep the pain going. A common example is a herniated disc in the neck or lower back. When a bulging disc presses on a nerve root and inflammatory substances build up around it, pain can radiate into the arm or leg.

Standard care includes anti-inflammatory painkillers, physical therapy and exercise, epidural steroid injections near the nerve, and surgery when needed. Many patients improve this way, but some cannot take medication for long, and for others the benefit of injections fades quickly. In hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), an inherited condition in which joints stretch too easily, there is no approved medicine for the joint pain. For these reasons, stem cells and their secreted products are being studied as new ways to calm inflammation and support tissue repair. An overview of stem cell research for chronic pain is on our chronic pain stem cell page.

What are stem cell secretome and exosomes?

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be obtained from bone marrow, fat, or umbilical cord tissue. When these cells are grown in culture, they release many signaling substances into the medium. The liquid left after the cells are removed is called stem cell secretome or conditioned medium. It contains growth factors, proteins that regulate inflammation, and exosomes, tiny sacs (extracellular vesicles) released by cells.

Exosomes carry proteins and microRNAs and deliver signals to other cells. Researchers believe much of the benefit stem cells show in the body comes from these secreted products. Because no living cells are given, the products are easier to store and transport and easier to make at consistent quality. You can see how exosomes are used in another field in our article on exosomes for ovarian aging.

76 people with neck or low back disc pain — results of a single epidural exosome injection

Researchers from the Stem Cell Institute, University of Science, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and NewLife Hospital in Vientiane, Laos, ran a prospective single-arm clinical study from 2023 to 2025 in 76 people (37 men, 39 women). Participants had an MRI-confirmed herniated disc in the neck or lower back, moderate or worse pain lasting more than three months, and pain not well controlled by anti-inflammatory drugs.

The team collected exosomes from the culture medium of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and injected 2 mL once into the epidural space near the affected level. Relief was scored on a 0-to-5 scale, with 3 or higher counted as meaningful relief.

Meaningful relief was reported by 83.6% at 2 days, 90.9% at 2 weeks, and 90.4% at 4 weeks, and by 73.2% at the 2-year follow-up. The share reporting complete pain relief rose from 27.3% at 2 weeks to 36.6% at 2 years. Scores after 2 weeks did not decline significantly through 2 years, so the relief from one injection lasted. Results did not differ by age, sex, or whether the neck or lower back was affected. No serious adverse events such as meningitis or infection were reported over 2 years; 5 people (6.6%) had mild pain at the injection site that resolved on its own within one or two days.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with persistent joint pain — intravenous bone marrow stem cell secretome

In September 2026, Frontiers in Medicine published a pilot study in 10 adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (8 women, 2 men, aged 21–57). The team in Austin, Texas, gave intravenous infusions of an exosome-rich secretome product (DB2Q) derived from donor bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Each dose contained about 1.2 trillion extracellular vesicles, and participants received 3–4 doses over about five months.

Participants rated nine items from 0 to 10, including headaches, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, joint dislocations, gut function, painkiller use, and overall well-being. After the second dose the total score improved significantly (p<0.01), and seven items improved clearly, including joint pain, fatigue, and use of anti-inflammatory painkillers. Six of the 10 were classed as responders, improving by more than 3 points in at least four items two weeks after the first dose. One participant who received nine infusions over 16 months under a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization was reported to remain in a settled state 32 months after the last dose. No treatment-related adverse events were recorded during the study.

What stage are these studies at?

Both are early clinical studies without a control group, in which every participant received the same treatment. The disc study stands out for its 76 participants and two years of follow-up, with 42 people assessed at the 2-year point. The Ehlers-Danlos study was a 10-person pilot; it also reported that responders' symptoms returned around 10–12 weeks after dosing, so the interval was shortened to two months. Both teams proposed randomized controlled trials as the next step.

In short, research on stem cell secretome for chronic pain is at the stage where good results in people have been reported, and larger comparative studies are the next step. If you are interested in stem cell research for joints, see our article on knee meniscus stem cells, which covers Japan's approval of a synovial stem cell product. Japan's policy discussion on exosomes and secretome is summarized in the ovarian aging exosome article mentioned above.

Frequently asked questions

How is stem cell secretome different from stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy puts living cells into the body, while secretome is the secreted material left after cells are removed from their culture medium. The Ehlers-Danlos study used bone marrow stem cell secretome, and the disc study used exosomes collected from umbilical cord stem cell culture medium. Both rely on the signaling substances that cells release.

How many exosome injections were given for disc pain?

In the study published in July 2026, 2 mL was injected once into the epidural space near the affected level. After that single injection, 90.9% at 2 weeks and 73.2% at 2 years reported meaningful pain relief.

Who can take part in research on stem cell secretome for chronic pain?

The disc study enrolled people with an MRI-confirmed herniated disc and moderate or worse pain for more than three months; the Ehlers-Danlos study enrolled adults with a clinical diagnosis. Criteria differ by study, so whether it suits an individual is judged by the treating medical team after reviewing the cause of pain and overall health.

Summary

Two studies in international journals in 2026 reported that exosomes and secretome released by stem cells eased long-standing disc pain and joint pain. In the 76-person study, relief from a single epidural injection lasted up to two years, and in the 10-person study, several symptoms including joint pain and fatigue improved. Neither study reported serious adverse events. Research on stem cell secretome for chronic pain is now moving toward larger controlled trials. The suitability and risks of any treatment are judged by the treating medical team.

This content summarizes published scientific papers. Names of universities, research institutions and hospitals are given to identify research sources and do not introduce or recommend any medical institution. Suitability for treatment is judged by the treating medical team.

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