Stem cell treatment for diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes, is an active and promising area of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, individuals with type 1 diabetes have an absolute deficiency of insulin and require daily insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.
The stem cell approach to type 1 diabetes focuses on beta cell replacement therapy. This involves generating new functional beta cells from stem cells and transplanting them into the pancreas or an appropriate site to restore normal and regulated insulin production.
Various sources of stem cells have been investigated for this purpose, including embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), and pancreatic progenitor stem cells. The idea is that these stem cells can differentiate into beta cells and reestablish insulin production.
While initial results from animal studies and some human clinical trials have been promising, it’s important to emphasize that stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes is still in the research and development phase. Further clinical studies are needed to determine the efficacy, long-term safety, and optimal methods for carrying out this therapy.
As of my knowledge up to this date in September 2021, it is not considered a standard therapy for type 1 diabetes, and individuals with this condition continue to rely on insulin and other blood sugar control measures as the primary treatment. However, advances in stem cell therapy offer hope for more effective and potentially curative treatments for type 1 diabetes in the future.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that diabetes is a systemic disease that affects other tissues, such as the kidneys, heart, liver, brain, nerves, and blood vessels. With our cellular therapy, we can improve the degenerative state of the disease, making both type 1 and type 2 diabetes candidates for our treatment.
