by Jim
Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc
Hi Jim,
Stem cells are being studied as a way to replace the insulin-producing beta cells destroyed in type 1 diabetes. This is genuine research, but advertisements claiming that stem cells can already cure diabetes should be treated cautiously.
Researchers can produce insulin-making islet cells from stem cells and transplant them into selected people with type 1 diabetes. Early results show that these cells can produce insulin, improve glucose control and, in some participants, remove the need for injected insulin for a period of time.
One investigational treatment, zimislecel, restored detectable islet function in all 14 participants in a small study. Among 12 who received the full dose, 10 were insulin-independent at one year. The findings are encouraging, but the study was small and participants required immune-suppressing treatment. A phase 3 study is still underway.
The FDA has approved Lantidra, a pancreatic-islet therapy made from deceased donor cells. It is not a stem-cell-derived treatment. It is intended only for certain adults with type 1 diabetes who continue to have repeated severe hypoglycemia despite intensive diabetes care.
Some recipients became insulin-independent, but others did not. The infusion procedure and immune-suppressing medicines can cause serious complications. It is not routine treatment for everyone with type 1 diabetes and is not used to prevent diabetes in someone with only a family history.
Read our overview of type 1 diabetes and current treatment.
Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance as well as progressive loss of beta-cell function. Adding insulin-producing cells would not automatically correct insulin resistance, excess liver glucose production or other metabolic problems.
Stem and stromal cells are being investigated for type 2 diabetes, but the treatments remain experimental. There is no approved stem-cell cure for type 2 diabetes and no reliable evidence supports paying a commercial clinic for one.
For someone with a family history, the practical approach is to assess personal risk and use proven prevention measures. Our diabetes risk test can help identify points to discuss with a doctor.
Transplanted cells can be attacked by the immune system. Medicines used to prevent rejection may increase the risk of serious infection, kidney injury, anemia and other complications. For many people whose diabetes can be managed with insulin, glucose technology and standard medicines, those risks may outweigh the benefits.
Researchers are studying encapsulated and gene-edited cells that might avoid long-term immune suppression, but these approaches are not established routine care.
No. The quoted 83% figure comes from a small investigational study in which 10 of 12 full-dose participants were insulin-independent at one year. It is not an 83% cure rate for all people with diabetes.
The participants were selected adults with type 1 diabetes and severe hypoglycemia. Insulin independence at one year does not prove a permanent cure.
There is no standard legitimate price for an approved stem-cell cure because no stem-cell-derived diabetes cure is approved. Research participation should occur through a registered clinical trial, not by purchasing an advertised treatment from a private clinic.
Approved donor-islet therapy involves specialist centers, hospitalization, monitoring and immune-suppressing treatment. Cost and coverage vary by country, center and insurance plan.
No stem-cell treatment is used to prevent diabetes in a healthy person with family history. Prevention depends on which type runs in the family.
See our guide to blood tests for diabetes.
Stem-cell-derived islet therapy may eventually transform type 1 diabetes treatment, but it is currently advanced clinical research—not a widely available cure. It has not been proven as a cure for type 2 diabetes and should not be purchased from an unregulated clinic.
Because you have a family history, identify whether your relatives have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, review your risk factors and arrange appropriate screening.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Albana Greca
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