In a groundbreaking medical advancement, Chinese scientists have reversed type 1 diabetes in a 25-year-old woman through the world’s first successful islet cell transplant using her own stem cells. According to clinical research published in Cell, this procedure offers a potential cure for the disease.
Performed by experts from Tianjin First Central Hospital, Peking University, Changping Laboratory, and Hangzhou Reprogenix Bioscience, this innovative treatment involves reprogramming stem cells harvested from the patient and transplanting them as islet cells, responsible for insulin production.
Type 1 diabetes is a severe autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own pancreas, impairing the production of insulin. Traditionally, long-term treatment options involved pancreas transplants, while short-term management required insulin injections.
In this trial, the patient, who had struggled with type 1 diabetes for 11 years and relied on insulin, regained autonomous blood sugar regulation after receiving islet cells derived from chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSC-islets). Within 75 days, she became insulin-independent, and her diabetes-related indicators returned to healthy levels. Remarkably, she has remained insulin-free for over a year, suggesting a clinical cure.
While the therapy shows promise, Wang Shusen from Tianjin First Central Hospital highlighted that its widespread application is limited due to a shortage of pancreas donors. Researchers also stressed the need for long-term monitoring to fully assess the therapy’s effectiveness.
The study calls for further clinical trials to explore the broader potential of stem cell therapy in reversing type 1 diabetes.
