Secretome Therapy

An Advanced Regenerative Medicine that Unlocks Cells’ Repair Power

Secretome therapy is a new regenerative medicine approach that enhances the body’s self-repair capacity by utilizing various beneficial factors (cytokines, growth factors, exosomes, etc.) secreted by cells into their surroundings.

The secretome is the collection of natural healing substances released by cells—essentially a “soup” of cell-derived healing factors.
For example, stem cells release hundreds of different substances as they proliferate and function.

These include growth factors that promote tissue growth and repair, cytokines that modulate immune activity, and exosomes—tiny capsule-like vesicles that carry messages to other cells.

Together, these components cooperate to encourage the repair of damaged cells and relay the necessary instructions to other cells, prompting the body to heal damage on its own.

The Secretome’s Role in Repair and Regeneration

When our bodies are injured or ill, they use substances released by their own cells—the secretome—to drive repair and regeneration. For example, when you scrape your skin, cells around the wound release growth factors that signal “make new skin here.”

At the same time, anti-inflammatory cytokines are released to reduce swelling and pain. Tiny vesicles like exosomes act as “messengers,” delivering essential information to the injured area and prompting other cells to begin repair work.

In this way, the secretome plays a central role in the body’s natural healing, acting like a lubricant that helps cells cooperate to repair and regenerate tissues.

Basic Mechanism of Secretome Therapy

Secretome therapy artificially harnesses this “healing-factor soup” produced by cells to boost the body’s repair capacity.

Whereas conventional regenerative medicine has often involved transplanting the stem cells themselves, secretome therapy does not use whole cells; instead, it isolates and administers only the beneficial factors (the secretome) that stem cells have released.

Put another way, rather than putting cells into the body, secretome therapy delivers the “medicine” the cells make. This aims to capture the tissue-repair and immunomodulatory benefits of stem cells without transplanting them. Because no whole cells are administered, the risks of immune rejection (seen when introducing another person’s cells) and tumor formation are lower, making the approach comparatively safe.

It also simplifies the complex steps of culturing and managing live cells, which can reduce cost and patient burden. For these reasons, secretome therapy is drawing attention as a relatively low-cost, lower-burden option.

Mechanisms of the Secretome

How the Secretome Acts in the Body

Once administered, the secretome circulates and acts where needed. For example, tissues with damage or inflammation emit signals indicating they are **“in need of help,”** and components within the secretome tend to accumulate at such sites.

The gathered growth factors and cytokines then **promote cell proliferation and migration and initiate repair.** In the damaged area, new cells are generated, blood vessels regenerate, and injured tissues are progressively replaced.

Anti-inflammatory substances in the secretome also calm excessive inflammatory responses, easing swelling and pain and smoothing the course of healing. In short, the secretome “presses the right switches” where needed and ignites the body’s own repair systems to support recovery.

Functions of Growth Factors, Exosomes, and Other Bioactive Substances

Here is a closer look at the major bioactive constituents of the secretome. Growth factors promote cell growth and division and aid tissue regeneration.

For instance, when the liver is injured, growth factors act on liver cells to stimulate the production of new hepatocytes. Cytokines, which are signaling molecules released by immune cells, function like commanders of the immune response.

When there is injury or infection, cytokines recruit needed immune cells; when inflammation is excessive, they help dial it down—balancing the immune reaction. Exosomes are extremely small extracellular vesicles (approximately 50–100 nm in diameter) that carry proteins and genetic information (e.g., RNA).

Exosomes convey messages from their cell of origin; upon being taken up by target cells, they alter those cells’ behavior. For example, when exosomes enter damaged cells, the cargo they carry works like an instruction to “begin repair.”

Thus, growth factors, cytokines, exosomes, and other components act together as a team to orchestrate the complex processes of tissue repair and immune modulation.

Benefits of Secretome Therapy (Tissue Repair, Immunomodulation, Anti-Inflammatory Effects, etc.)

A major advantage of secretome therapy is its ability to powerfully support the body’s innate healing capacity. Key benefits include:

• Promotion of Tissue Repair: Encourages cellular regeneration in damaged tissues and organs, accelerating wound healing. This can shorten recovery time after injury or surgery and aid organ function recovery.
• Immunomodulation: Calms excessive immune reactions while enhancing insufficient responses, rebalancing immunity. This may ease autoimmune reactions that attack the body and strengthen resistance to infections.
• Anti-Inflammatory Action: Quiets chronic inflammation and reduces swelling and pain. By suppressing inflammation, ongoing tissue damage can be limited, which may improve symptoms.

Collectively, these actions elevate whole-body healing and regenerative potential. Because secretome therapy uses only the “healing power” produced by cells—rather than the cells themselves—it tends to have fewer side effects and offers flexibility for a wide range of conditions.

How Secretome Therapy Differs from Stem Cell Transplantation and Immune Cell Therapy

Secretome therapy differs from stem cell transplantation and immune cell therapies (e.g., NK cell therapy) in that it does not administer live cells. Key distinctions include:

• Versus Stem Cell Therapy:

  Stem cell therapy administers live stem cells into the body.
  The administered cells may differentiate into new cells and continue secreting beneficial factors to exert therapeutic effects.

  By contrast, secretome therapy administers only the factors produced by stem cells. Because whole cells are not transplanted, even when using donor-derived material the risk of immune rejection is lower, and there is no risk of unintended cellular overgrowth.
  Technically, there is also less patient burden because it avoids harvesting and culturing the patient’s own cells.

  However, since no long-lived cells are introduced, there is no population of new cells that survive and function over extended periods; therefore, repeated sessions may be performed as needed to maintain benefits.

• Versus NK Cell Therapy:

  NK cell therapy removes NK cells from the patient’s blood, expands and activates them ex vivo, and reinfuses them to attack cancer cells directly and boost immunity.

  Secretome therapy using immune-cell–derived products, by contrast, utilizes cytokines and other factors released by immune cells (including NK cells) without returning the cells themselves.

  As a result, it does not provide the same immediate, direct cytotoxic effect on tumors that NK therapy does; instead, secretome factors gently elevate overall immune tone with fewer side effects and are easier to repeat over time.

  In short, if NK cell therapy is a focused “strike force” against enemies like cancer, secretome therapy is a “support corps” that optimizes the body’s environment and boosts self-healing.

Although these modalities differ, they can be combined for synergy depending on the goal. For example, infusing stem cells while adding secretome may aim to enhance both immediacy and safety for greater overall effect.

Applications of Secretome Therapy

Conditions Where Secretome Therapy Is Expected to Help

Because secretome therapy promotes regeneration, suppresses inflammation, and modulates immunity, it is being explored for many conditions. Representative examples include:

• Cancer Care:

  While secretome therapy does not directly “cure” cancer, it is attracting attention as an adjunct to support the body’s anti-cancer immunity and to aid recovery from treatment side effects (surgery, chemotherapy).
  Research is also advancing on improving the tumor immune microenvironment with immune-cell–derived secretomes to increase the effectiveness of standard therapies.

• Neurological Disorders:

  Applications are being investigated for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and for post-stroke sequelae. Secretome constituents may support neuronal survival and reduce neuroinflammation, potentially slowing progression and promoting functional recovery.
  In animal studies, secretome administration has been reported to improve motor function in Parkinson’s disease models.

• Anti-Aging:

  For age-related functional decline and cosmetic concerns, secretome therapy is expected to rejuvenate at the cellular level. Uses include promoting skin regeneration to improve wrinkles and laxity, and exosome-based hair restoration to recover hair strength and volume.
  Some patients receive periodic secretome infusions for wellness, fatigue recovery, and increased vitality.

• Refractory Wounds and Tissue Injury:

  In hard-to-heal cases—such as burns and diabetic ulcers—secretome therapy may accelerate wound closure.
  Pro-regenerative factors can smooth granulation and skin regeneration, potentially shortening treatment duration and reducing scarring.

• Chronic Inflammatory Diseases:

  Applications are being considered for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and more, where chronic inflammation drives symptoms.
  By easing inflammation, secretome therapy aims to curb ongoing tissue damage, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.

Thus, secretome therapy is under active study and application across a wide range of fields. Its flexibility—tailoring use to each patient’s condition—is one of its major attractions.

Expected Benefits (Tissue Regeneration, Anti-Inflammation, Immune Support, Anti-Aging)

As noted, secretome therapy’s benefits span multiple domains, which can be broadly grouped as follows:

• Promotion of Tissue Regeneration:
  Accelerates repair of injured organs and tissues and promotes the regeneration of new cells. This can speed recovery after injury or surgery and improve organ function.
• Inflammation Control:
  Suppresses chronic inflammatory responses, reducing swelling and pain. By calming inflammation, it helps prevent ongoing tissue destruction and symptom worsening.
• Immune Enhancement:
  Boosts immune cell function to strengthen the body’s defense against infections and disease. With improved immunity, people may get sick less often and recover more quickly.
• Anti-Aging Effects:
  Reinvigorates aging cells to help maintain overall youthfulness. Potential benefits include improved skin firmness and radiance, increased hair strength and volume, and reduced chronic fatigue.

While individual responses vary, these effects together may improve quality of life (QOL) and relieve symptoms. Because timing and magnitude of benefit differ by condition and constitution, it is important to set realistic goals in consultation with a physician.

How Secretome Therapy Is Performed

From Obtaining the Secretome to Administration

Delivering secretome therapy to patients involves several steps. The basic flow is:

• Cell Culture:

  First, source cells for the secretome are prepared. For stem-cell–derived secretome, donor stem cells (or the patient’s own) are cultured. For immune-cell–derived secretome, immune cells (e.g., NK cells) isolated from blood are expanded. As these cells grow in dedicated media, they release various beneficial factors into the culture medium.

• Separation of Culture Supernatant:

  After a set culture period, the medium is separated from the cells. Centrifugation and/or filtration removes intact cells. The resulting **supernatant (culture supernatant)** is rich in growth factors, cytokines, exosomes, and other secreted components.

• Purification and Concentration:

  Impurities are removed from the supernatant and the active factors are concentrated. Because trace metabolic by-products (e.g., ammonia, lactate) may be present, specialized filters or membranes are used to eliminate them while enriching proteins and exosomes. This produces a safe, high-quality secretome preparation, which may be stored as a liquid (frozen) or as a freeze-dried powder.

• Administration to the Patient:

  The prepared secretome is delivered to the patient and administered as appropriate. As described below, methods vary by purpose—e.g., IV infusion for systemic distribution or direct injection to a target site. After administration, the secretome acts in the body to promote tissue repair and immunomodulation.

These sophisticated laboratory steps culminate in a simple treatment experience for patients—typically an IV or injection. Behind the scenes, however, the “essence” that drives regeneration is carefully produced through the processes above.

Administration Options (IV Infusion, Local Injection)

Secretome preparations are administered by the route best suited to the patient’s condition and goals. Main options include:

• IV Infusion:

  The secretome is diluted (e.g., in saline) and slowly infused into a vein. This distributes active components systemically, making it suitable for whole-body aims such as immune support or anti-aging. Infusions are typically given through an arm vein over about 30–60 minutes.

• Local Injection:

  When a specific target is clear, the secretome can be injected near that site. For joint regeneration, it may be injected intra-articularly; for skin rejuvenation, fine injections into the dermis may be used. Delivering a high local concentration can enhance focal repair. Local anesthesia may be used to minimize discomfort.

Thus, the administration route is tailored to the objective. Your physician will assess your condition and recommend the safest, most effective method, so please feel free to ask about any concerns.

Treatment Duration and Scheduling (Frequency and Number of Sessions)

Treatment frequency and duration are customized. For lighter goals such as anti-aging and wellness, a plan might involve monthly IV infusions for several months.

For specific diseases or injuries, more intensive regimens—e.g., weekly sessions for 1–2 months—may be used to amplify effects.

Typically, during the initial consultation the physician reviews your health status and goals and proposes an appropriate schedule. As treatment proceeds, timing can be adjusted based on response.

Because benefits often accumulate gradually, secretome therapy is usually performed periodically rather than as a single session.

Some patients also receive parallel therapies (e.g., rehabilitation, medications). Your care team will help you plan a pace that fits your life so you can proceed confidently.

On the Safety of Secretome Therapy

Core Safety Information (Risk of Side Effects and Management)

Secretome therapy is considered relatively safe among regenerative treatments.
The primary reason is, as noted above, it uses **the substances produced by cells rather than the live cells themselves**.

The risks associated with transplanting living cells—such as immune rejection (attacking foreign donor cells) or unpredictable cell behavior—are considered very low with secretome therapy.
Most administered components are proteins and extracellular vesicles that **already function naturally in the human body**, so serious adverse reactions are uncommon. Of course, as with any medical procedure, risk is not zero.

In rare cases, transient fever or fatigue may occur after treatment, or the injection site may become red and swollen.
Such symptoms typically resolve within 1–2 days and respond to simple measures such as rest or antipyretics.

Minor bruising or discomfort related to IV access or injections may also occur, but these usually fade with time.
We explain safety considerations in advance and have response plans in place should any side-effect-like symptoms appear.

By tailoring treatment to the patient’s condition, avoiding over-treatment, and monitoring carefully afterward, we prioritize safe care throughout.

Comparison with Other Cell Therapies (Stem Cell Therapy, NK Cell Therapy)

Compared with other representative cell therapies, secretome therapy’s safety and characteristics are as follows:

• Versus Stem Cell Therapy:

  As noted, stem cell therapy administers live cells, which may function long term in the body. Rare risks such as unintended cell proliferation (tumorigenesis) or, with donor cells, immune rejection have been discussed. Secretome therapy, using only extracted factors, further reduces such risks. Moreover, because it does not require harvesting and culturing a patient’s own cells, the procedural burden is lower.

• Versus NK Cell Therapy:

  NK cell therapy—widely noted for cancer—returns a patient’s own strengthened NK cells to attack tumors directly. While promising, it can be time- and cost-intensive and may cause transient immune reactions such as fever after infusion. Secretome therapy (including immune-cell–derived products) aims to elevate overall immune tone rather than provide direct, immediate cytotoxicity. It has fewer side effects and is easy to repeat, though it does not eliminate tumors as rapidly or powerfully as NK therapy. Consequently, for cancer it is often used alongside standard treatments or other immunotherapies to improve overall condition rather than as a sole therapy.

In short, compared with stem cell and NK cell therapies, secretome therapy stands out for safety and convenience, while its effects tend to be gentler and more supportive. Each therapy has strengths and limitations; physicians select and combine options to maximize benefit for each patient.

Secretome vs. Exosome vs. PRP

In regenerative medicine, three approaches are commonly discussed: Secretome, Exosome, and PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma).
Here is a comparison of their characteristics.

“Secretome” refers to the totality of bioactive substances secreted by cells.
It includes exosomes, growth factors, cytokines, proteins, and more, and is broadly involved in cell repair, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration.
Exosomes are a component of the secretome; the secretome delivers a more comprehensive therapeutic effect.

Exosomes and PRP are effective for their respective uses, but considering durability and breadth of action, the secretome is often the superior choice.
In particular, for chronic conditions and those seeking long-term care, secretome therapy can be overwhelmingly advantageous.

How to Choose the Right Secretome Therapy

Although secretome therapy can be safe, cost-effective, and broadly beneficial, choosing poorly can blunt results—or even be harmful.

Please consider the following points to select appropriate secretome therapy.

Derived from Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells

Other stem cell sources may contain far fewer growth factors and cytokines, leading to inferior therapeutic effects.

Wharton’s Jelly stem cells are rich in key factors that promote tissue repair and regeneration and are being actively applied in regenerative medicine and “reverse aging.”

Not Merely Taken from Culture Supernatant After Stem Cell Culture

Stem cell culture supernatant is the medium used during cell culture and is, in principle, discarded after cells are removed.
Because the concentrations of growth factors and active components are low, strong therapeutic effects cannot be expected.

By contrast, components properly extracted using dedicated methods can better activate cells and enhance repair capacity, enabling more effective therapy. Choose preparations obtained through dedicated extraction, not mere culture leftovers.

Manufactured in Facilities Meeting Global Safety Standards

Regulations for stem cell culture and extraction vary by country, and not all facilities meet strict standards.
Therefore, it is essential to verify where a product is manufactured.
Selecting products made in facilities certified under international cGMP and cGTPs ensures safety and quality.

About cGMP / cGTPs

Avoid Freeze-Dried or Otherwise Heavily Processed Products

Many secretome, exosome, and culture-supernatant products on the market are freeze-dried for storage and transport convenience.

However, heat and desiccation during processing can reduce active components such as growth factors and cytokines, potentially diminishing therapeutic potency. From a regenerative medicine perspective, freshly prepared, minimally processed products are preferable.

Secretome therapy is a next-generation regenerative treatment that utilizes stem-cell-secreted growth factors and exosomes. Because it does not involve cell transplantation, it is comparatively safe, with potential benefits spanning inflammation control, tissue repair, and immune modulation.

Research is advancing in areas such as joint disease, neurological disorders, and anti-aging, and the scope of indications is expected to expand as technology progresses. With ongoing validation of safety and efficacy, secretome therapy is likely to become established as a treatment option.

As a therapy poised to play an important role in regenerative medicine, the future development of secretome therapy is drawing significant attention.