There are several types of stem cells used in modern medicine, such as hematopoietic, mesenchymal, umbilical cord blood, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Some of them are already being used as established treatments, while others are still being studied to better understand their safety, effectiveness, and potential in the future. 

Key Takeaways

• Stem cells are not a single cell type—several types are used in medicine and research.
• Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been used for years in bone marrow transplant and blood-related disorders. 
• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely studied in regenerative medicine and tissue repair research.
• Umbilical cord blood contains HSCs that may be used in transplantation medicine.
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are created from adult cells and are primarily used in research.
• The level of clinical evidence varies depending on the stem cell type and medical application being discussed.

Medically Reviewed By

Written By – Nishat Arfin

Scientific Review By – Tabish Iqbal 

Medically Approved By – Stem Cell Care India Medical Team

Last Reviewed: June 2026

Types of Stem Cells Used in Medicine

A person researching stem cell therapy often comes across terms like HSCs, MSCs, and more. While they are all categorized as stem cells, they do not serve the same purpose in regenerative medicine and research. 

Stem cells may have several applications which are based on clinical practices backed by many years of data, while other uses may still be under study. Knowing the difference between them will give a clear understanding of treatment and research.

In this blog, you will learn about the different types of stem cells being used in medicine, their sources, and their differences.

What Are Stem Cells and Why Do They Matter? 

Stem cells are the tiny cells that can multiply and develop into other specialised cell types. This capability has made them essential for medical research and other established procedures like hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCTs).

Many cells in the body perform a specific task throughout their lifespan. Stem cells are different because they do not have any specific task but can generate new cells when needed, giving researchers a way to study how the body develops, responds to disease, and repairs damaged tissues. 

This is the reason stem cells are often seen in medical discussions. Some are already used in established clinical practices, while others are still being investigated as the researchers explore new approaches in regenerative medicine.   

Not all stem cells are the same. Nevertheless, different types of stem cells come from different sources and serve different purposes, which is why understanding this difference becomes important.  

Understanding Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are blood-forming stem cells that produce the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets the body needs every day. They are the most established type of stem cell used in modern medicine. 

HSCs are usually harvested from bone marrow, and sometimes they can also be collected from peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood. Their ability to produce new blood cells continuously—is the main reason they are considered important to maintain normal blood and immune system function throughout life. 

The best-known use of HSCs is hematopoietic stem cell transplantations, commonly known as bone marrow transplantation. This procedure has been a part of medical practices for decades and remains one of the most established applications of stem cells today.

Doctors may use HSCT in the management of conditions such as:

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Aplastic anemia
• Certain inherited blood disorders

Unlike many other stem cell applications that are still being investigated, HSCT is supported by decades of clinical experience and established treatment guidelines.

Why Are Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Widely Studied?

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear in regenerative medicine research more often than other stem cell types. Much of that attention comes from research aimed at understanding how these cells behave with surrounding tissues and influence cellular activity. 

MSCs can be obtained from several sources, including:

• Bone marrow
• Adipose (fat) tissue
• Umbilical cord tissue

Unlike hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are mainly associated with blood cell production, MSCs, on the other hand, are often discussed in the context of tissue repair and regenerative medicine research. 

Areas where MSCs are commonly investigated:

• Regenerative medicine
• Tissue engineering
• Cell therapy
• Studies on chronic illnesses

While MSCs are being investigated in clinical settings across the world, many applications remain investigational. Currently, the level of evidence can vary depending on the condition being studied and the treatment approach involved. 

Why Are Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Important?

Umbilical cord blood contains hemotopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the same type of stem cells used in hemotopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs). This is the core reason cord blood has become an important resource for both transplantation medicine and stem cell research. 

Some key facts about cord blood include:

• It contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which help produce blood and immune cells.
• Collection takes place after delivery and does not affect the mother or baby.
• The cells can be preserved through cord blood banking programs.
• Cord blood has been used in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for certain blood-related conditions.

What makes cord blood special—these stem cells can be collected at birth without an extra medical procedure. Today, cord blood remains an important source of HSCs, while researchers continue to evaluate its role in regenerative medicine. 

Why Have Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Gained So Much Attention?

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have drawn attention because they can be created from ordinary adult cells, such as skin or blood cells. This gives scientists a way to study stem cells without relying very much on naturally occurring stem cell sources. 

Other stem cells that are directly collected from tissue, iPSCs, are produced through a process called cellular reprogramming. As a result, researchers can create cell models in the laboratory and observe how they respond under different conditions.

Currently, there are uses for iPSCs, including:

• Studying disease development at the cellular level
• Testing potential drug treatments
• Supporting personalised medicine research
• Exploring regenerative medicine research

Most applications of iPSCs currently remain within research settings. Although they have become an essential tool for studying disease and evaluating potential therapies before entering clinical trials. 

Comparing the Major Types of Stem Cells Used in Medicine

What Should Patients Know About Stem Cell Types?

When reading about stem cell therapy, one of the most useful things to look for is the type of stem cell being discussed. The source of cells often influences how they are used, the level of clinical evidence available—whether the approach is already established or still under investigation. 

Understanding these distinctions can make it easier to evaluate treatment information, research findings, and discussion about upcoming therapies.  

Putting It All Together

Stem cell therapy is often discussed as though it involves a single type of cell. In practice, different stem cell types have different sources, applications, and levels of clinical evidence.

When reading about stem cell treatment, one of the most helpful facts to search for includes the kind of stem cells involved. This can provide critical information regarding the current uses of such an approach, whether in clinical trials or other research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which stem cell type has the longest history of clinical use?

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the longest history of clinical use and are used in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), commonly known as bone marrow transplantation.

Q2. Can stem cells come from a person’s own body?

Yes. Some types of stem cells are usually derived from a person’s own tissues, such as bone marrow and adipose tissue. Determining which approach is appropriate depends on the treatment approach and medical situation. 

Q3. Why do some stem cell therapies have more clinical evidence than others?

Each stem cells have their own purpose and ability to develop. Some procedures, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCTs), are supported by decades of study– while some applications are still being evaluated for safety and consistent results. 

Q4. Are stem cells used only for treatment purposes?

No. Stem cells are also used in research to study diseases, test medicines, and better understand how cells function.

Q5. Why is umbilical cord blood stored after birth?

Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Some families choose to preserve it because these cells may be used in transplantation medicine.

Reference Links

National Cancer Institute (NCI). Bone Marrow Transplant and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/stem-cell-transplant

Jagannathan-Bogdan M, Bhatt DL, Bhatt S. Hematopoiesis. National Institutes of Health — PubMed Central (PMC3504436). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3504436/

Dominici M, Le Blanc K, Mueller I, et al. Minimal Criteria for Defining Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Cytotherapy. 2006. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16923606/

Pittenger MF, Discher DE, Péault BM, et al. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Perspective: Cell Biology to Clinical Progress. NPJ Regenerative Medicine. 2019. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31334431/

ClinicalTrials.gov. Mesenchymal Stem Cells — Clinical Studies Database. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=Mesenchymal%20Stem%20Cells

Ballen KK, Gluckman E, Broxmeyer HE. Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation: The First 25 Years and Beyond. Blood. 2013. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23471454/

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI Bookshelf). Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Advances in Research and Application. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567803/

Takahashi K, Yamanaka S. Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Embryonic and Adult Fibroblast Cultures by Defined Factors. Cell. 2006. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16904174

Takahashi K, Tanabe K, Ohnuki M, et al. Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Human Fibroblasts by Defined Factors. Cell. 2007. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18035408/

Medical Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The stem cell-related approaches and applications discussed remain the subject of ongoing research and may not be established treatments for specific conditions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any treatment decision.