A woman with type 1 diabetes underwent stem-cell therapy using cells from her own body, resulting in her no longer needing insulin injections 75 days after the procedure. Researchers discovered that the stem-cell derived islet cells had successfully engrafted in her abdomen. Additional patients have been enrolled in the trial in China, with the goal of conducting long-term follow-up studies over the next two years. Other stem-cell based therapies for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are also being developed and tested globally.
The breakthrough case study involved taking fat cells from a 25-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes and converting them into pluripotent stem cells. These cells were then used to create islet cells, responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas. The patient had previously undergone multiple transplants due to complications from her diabetes. The induced islet cells were injected into her abdomen and successfully engrafted, leading to reduced reliance on insulin injections and improved glucose control over time.
The woman in the case study showed significant improvement in her ability to reach target glycemic levels post-treatment, with a notable increase in insulin production and lowered long-term glucose levels. While this is the first reported case of sustained insulin production from stem-cell therapy, other trials are underway to develop similar treatments for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Pharmaceutical companies and research institutions are actively exploring the use of stem-cell derived islet cells to help manage and potentially reverse diabetes.
Results from a phase 1/2 clinical trial on stem-cell derived type 1 diabetes treatments were presented in 2024, showcasing promising outcomes in 37 participants. Previous safety data from a trial in Canada also demonstrated the feasibility of using stem-cell derived pancreatic endoderm cells in treating diabetes. Experts in the field, including James Shapiro from the University of Alberta, expressed optimism about the potential of stem-cell therapies for diabetes but also highlighted the need for further research to address challenges such as immune response modulation and cost-effective manufacturing processes.
The success of the stem-cell therapy in the case study represents a significant milestone in diabetes research, offering hope for patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. By using a patient’s own cells to create insulin-producing islet cells, the risk of rejection is minimized and the need for anti-rejection medications reduced. Ongoing studies will focus on expanding and accelerating treatment options, ensuring safety and effectiveness for a broader population of diabetic patients. Research efforts continue to refine stem-cell therapies for diabetes, with a focus on overcoming remaining challenges in immunomodulation and cost-effective production methods.
