Diabetes breakthrough: Chinese trial opens path to an insulin-free future

About two and a half months after the implantation, the patient began producing a sufficient amount of insulin, allowing her to completely discontinue external treatment. (Image: Canva)

Thanks to an innovative medical procedure, a 25-year-old woman from Tianjin, China, with Type 1 diabetes, has been freed from her reliance on medication. She underwent a pioneering treatment where cells, reprogrammed to regain their insulin-producing abilities, were implanted into her body. This marks the first successful application of such a therapy.

In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (islets of Langerhans), leaving the body unable to produce insulin and forcing patients to depend on regular injections. While transplanting insulin-producing cells can help, challenges like donor shortages and the need for immunosuppressive drugs persist. Stem cell technology offers a promising alternative by creating an unlimited supply of pancreatic cells from the patient’s own tissues, potentially eliminating the need for long-term immunosuppression.

A research team from Nankai University, building on earlier work by Peking University scientists, reprogrammed cells from three individuals with Type 1 diabetes into a pluripotent state. Using small organic molecules to activate necessary genes, the team transformed these cells into clusters capable of producing insulin.

After successful animal trials, the researchers conducted a human trial in June 2023, implanting approximately 1.5 million insulin-producing cells into the patient’s abdominal muscles. This site was chosen over the liver to allow non-invasive MRI monitoring and the option to remove the cell clusters if needed.

About two and a half months after the procedure, the patient began producing enough insulin to stop external treatment entirely. For over a year, her blood sugar levels remained within the target range more than 98% of the time, and she no longer required insulin injections.

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In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (islets of Langerhans), preventing the body from producing insulin, which forces patients to rely on regular injections. (Image: Canva)

The future of diabetes treatment

Since the patient was already on immunosuppressive therapy due to a prior liver transplant, the study could not determine whether the stem cells reduced the risk of rejection. However, researchers are optimistic that using the patient’s own cells could help address immune response issues. They are also exploring the development of pancreatic cells resistant to immune system attacks—a critical challenge in treating Type 1 diabetes.

This research is part of a larger effort to harness stem cells for diabetes treatment. In another recent breakthrough, researchers in Shanghai implanted reprogrammed cells into the liver of a 59-year-old man with Type 2 diabetes, enabling him to stop using external insulin.

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These advancements represent a significant leap forward in diabetes treatment, offering more effective and sustainable options. If further trials prove successful, they could revolutionise diabetes management and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.