Type 1 diabetes Cured with Stem Cell Transplant, Chinese Scientists Claim
Chinese scientists have reported a breakthrough in treating Type 1 diabetes, claiming to have cured a 25-year-old woman using stem cell transplants. According to a report from Shanghai-based news outlet The Paper, the woman, diagnosed with chronic Type 1 diabetes, was able to naturally regulate her blood sugar levels about two and a half months post-surgery, which was minimally invasive and lasted just half an hour.

The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, involving a research team from Tianjin First Central Hospital and Peking University.

Treatment Details
The clinical research received approval in june last year, leading to the transplant of the first patient. The treatment utilized "chemically induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived islets" (CiPSC islets). Researchers collected adipose tissue cells from the patient, reprogrammed them into pluripotent stem cells using small molecule chemicals, and then transformed these cells into islet cells for transplantation. Since these pancreatic cells originated from the patient, there was no risk of immune rejection.

The patient had been living with Type 1 diabetes for 11 years and had undergone two liver transplants and one unsuccessful pancreatic islet transplant prior to this treatment. She frequently experienced severe blood sugar swings and hypoglycemic episodes.

Results
Following the CiPSC islet transplant, her fasting blood glucose levels gradually normalized, leading to a decrease in her reliance on external insulin. She completely stopped insulin injections 75 days after the transplant. Five months later, her blood sugar levels remained within the target range over 98% of the time.

Surgical Approach
The surgery involved transplanting the cells into the abdominal muscles rather than the liver, reducing inflammation risks typically associated with traditional islet transplants. This minimally invasive injection allowed for easy monitoring and retrieval of the cells if necessary.

The research team concluded, “The clinical data met all study endpoints with no indication of transplant-related abnormalities.” They suggested that promising results warrant further clinical studies on CiPSC islet transplants for Type 1 diabetes.

Comparison with Traditional Methods
Traditional islet transplants involve extracting islet cells from a deceased donor’s pancreas and implanting them in the liver of a diabetic patient. While this method is effective, it faces challenges due to donor shortages. The emergence of stem cell therapy may pave the way for new treatment possibilities for diabetes.
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Balasahana Suresh

01/10/2024 11:23 AM