Mesenchymal stem cells and multiple sclerosis — where can you get the transplant in Serbia?

June 4, 2026

A practical guide: where in Serbia you can get mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for MS, why it is different from aHSCT at the VMA, what the science actually shows today, and what to ask before paying for anything.

First, the crucial distinction: HSCT is not the same as MSC

When I first started looking for MS information, what I needed most was a clear explanation without grand promises. Two completely different procedures get confused when patients hear "stem cells for MS":

- aHSCT (autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation) — "resets" the immune system with chemotherapy plus return of the patient's own blood-forming stem cells. Proven efficacy in aggressive relapsing-remitting MS, especially younger patients with active disease despite DMT ([Sharrack et al., 2020 — EBMT guidelines](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31831830/), [MIST trial — Burt 2019, JAMA](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30644983/)). In Serbia it is performed at the Military Medical Academy (VMA) in Belgrade, where the first patient was transplanted in 2005 with over 10 years of follow-up ([Obradović et al., Vojnosanit Pregl 2016](https://doiserbia.nb.rs/ft.aspx?id=0042-84501500045O)).

- MSC (mesenchymal stem cells) — taken from bone marrow, fat tissue or umbilical cord, expanded in the lab and infused intravenously or intrathecally (into the spinal canal). The goal is immune modulation and potential myelin repair, without aggressive chemotherapy. Still in the clinical-trial stage — phase 2 studies show safety and modest signals, but no regulator (EMA, FDA, Serbian ALIMS) has approved MSC as standard MS therapy ([MESEMS study — Uccelli, 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33472913/), [Petrou 2020, Brain](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33253391/)).

If your question is "where can I get MSC transplantation for MS in Serbia", this guide is for you. If you mean HSCT, see [Stem-cell transplantation — patient guide](/en/blog/transplantacija-maticnih-celija-ms-vodic) and [Stem cells for MS in 2026](/en/blog/maticne-celije-ms-2026).

Where MSC therapy is offered in Serbia

In Serbia, MSC therapy for MS is not part of the public health service and is not covered by RFZO. It is offered by private clinics in Belgrade, usually as part of "medical tourism" for foreign patients. The best-known providers:

- IM Clinic (Swiss Medica), Belgrade — branch of the Swiss Medica group specialising in stem-cell therapies for neurological and autoimmune diseases including MS. Uses mesenchymal cells from adipose tissue and umbilical cord, intravenously and intrathecally, bundled with physiotherapy and rehabilitation ([Swiss Medica — Belgrade clinic](https://www.startstemcells.com/serbia-belgrade.html)). Typical pricing €20,000–€40,000+ for a full protocol. *Listing and link last reviewed: June 4, 2026.*

- Seracell Serbia (Belgrade, Novi Sad) — a stem-cell bank focused mainly on storing cord-blood cells for newborns; publishes educational material on MSC and MS and refers to partner clinics ([Seracell — MS info](https://www.seracell.rs/lecenje-multiple-skleroze-maticnim-celijama/)). Does not itself perform routine MSC infusions for MS. *Listing and link last reviewed: June 4, 2026.*

- Other private centres — offers occasionally appear from aesthetic and orthopaedic clinics, but without registered clinical protocols for MS at the [Serbian Medicines Agency (ALIMS)](https://www.alims.gov.rs/). Be cautious. *Reference last reviewed: June 4, 2026.*

> Important: inclusion of a clinic in this list is not a medical endorsement. It is publicly available information. Discuss any decision with your neurologist first.

What the science actually shows on MSC in MS

Safety: trials to date (phase 1 and 2) show that autologous MSC therapy is generally safe — most commonly transient fever, headache, local pain. Serious adverse events are rare ([MESEMS — Uccelli 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33472913/)).

Efficacy: the results are mixed and modest. The MESEMS trial (phase 2, 144 patients, 9 centres, 6 countries) did not show a significant difference in MRI lesion counts between MSC and placebo at 6 months. Smaller single-centre studies with intrathecal injection (Petrou 2020, Karussis 2010) show some positive signals on EDSS and cognition, but with small samples ([Petrou — Brain 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33253391/)).

Latest — 2026: a phase 1/2a study of fresh autologous adipose-derived MSC (AD-MSC) in secondary progressive MS was published in February 2026 in Stem Cell Research & Therapy — safe, but still without proven clinical efficacy ([Springer 2026](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13287-026-04933-6)).

Consensus from the field (NMSS, MS International Federation, EMA): MSC remains an experimental therapy. Patients are advised to receive MSC only within registered clinical trials, not as a paid service ([NMSS — Stem Cell Therapies](https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-We-Fund/Stem-Cell-Research)).

questions you MUST ask a private clinic before paying

1. What is the exact cell source (autologous from your own bone marrow/fat, allogeneic from another donor's umbilical cord)?

2. How many cells do you receive per infusion, and how are they characterised (CD73+, CD90+, CD105+ markers)?

3. Is the therapy part of a registered clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number)? If so, you should not pay anything.

4. Who are the authors of published papers from that specific clinic in peer-reviewed journals?

5. What is the formal registration of the procedure with ALIMS (Serbian Medicines Agency)?

6. Real-world outcomes in previous MS patients — with MRI before/after and EDSS scores?

7. What happens if there is a complication — where are you admitted, who pays?

8. Is your neurologist aware of the protocol and willing to monitor you afterwards?

9. Who is the medical director of the clinic, and are they registered with the Serbian Medical Chamber?

10. Written informed consent in your language, listing risks, alternatives and the fact that efficacy is unproven.

Red flags — when NOT to pay

A clinic that guarantees improvement ("you will walk again", "we will stop progression").

Marketing of "miracle" stories without published MRI and EDSS data.

Pressure to pay before independent neurologist consultation.

No ClinicalTrials.gov registration.

"We treat MS, Alzheimer's, autism, arthritis and long COVID" — a universal offer is a red flag.

The realistic alternative: aHSCT at VMA

For patients with active relapsing-remitting MS who do not respond to high-efficacy DMTs (ocrelizumab, natalizumab, cladribine), aHSCT at the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade is a proven option, performed in Serbia, and can be partially covered through the RFZO procedure with a neurologist referral. It is not for everyone — it requires good general health and intensive chemotherapy — but it has clear criteria and long-term outcome data ([Sharrack — EBMT 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31831830/)). More: [Stem-cell transplantation — guide](/en/blog/transplantacija-maticnih-celija-ms-vodic).

What to do next

1. Talk to your neurologist about whether you are a candidate for aHSCT at VMA, or for one of the currently active MSC trials.

2. Search [ClinicalTrials.gov](https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=Multiple%20Sclerosis&term=mesenchymal) for open MSC studies in Europe — patients from Serbia are often accepted into centres in Italy, Spain or Israel at no cost for the therapy itself.

3. Before paying, get a second opinion from a neurologist who is not affiliated with the clinic selling the treatment.

4. Maximise proven therapies — modern DMTs ([MS DMTs in 2026](/en/blog/dmt-lekovi-multipla-skleroza-2026)), vitamin D, rehabilitation, EBV-factor control ([Epstein-Barr and MS](/en/blog/epstein-barr-virus-multipla-skleroza)).

Mesenchymal stem cells remain a hope, but not a proven cure for MS. In Serbia they are offered by private clinics at high cost, without public coverage and without registration as standard therapy. For some patients with aggressive MS, the proven option is aHSCT at VMA in Belgrade. For everyone else, the smartest path is a registered clinical trial — where you get the newest science free of charge, with expert follow-up and proper outcome measurement. Do not pay for promises; ask for data.

Sources

Sharrack B, et al. Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and other cellular therapy in multiple sclerosis and immune-mediated neurological diseases: updated guidelines and recommendations from the EBMT Autoimmune Diseases Working Party. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2020: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31831830/. Burt RK, et al. Effect of Nonmyeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation vs Continued Disease-Modifying Therapy on Disease Progression in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MIST trial). JAMA. 2019: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30644983/. Obradović D, et al. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in combination with immunoablative protocol in secondary progressive MS – A 10-year follow-up. Vojnosanit Pregl. 2016: https://doiserbia.nb.rs/ft.aspx?id=0042-84501500045O. Uccelli A, et al. Safety, tolerability, and activity of mesenchymal stem cells versus placebo in MS (MESEMS). Neurology 2021: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33472913/. Petrou P, et al. Beneficial effects of autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in active progressive MS. Brain. 2020: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33253391/. Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2026 — Safety and feasibility of intravenous fresh adipose-derived MSC in SPMS: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13287-026-04933-6. National MS Society — Stem Cell Therapies: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-We-Fund/Stem-Cell-Research. Swiss Medica IM Clinic Belgrade: https://www.startstemcells.com/serbia-belgrade.html. Seracell Serbia: https://www.seracell.rs/. Serbian Medicines Agency (ALIMS): https://www.alims.gov.rs/. This article is informational and does not replace consultation with your neurologist and a second opinion before any therapeutic decision.