Stem Cell Therapy Could Be Breakthrough Against Type 1 Diabetes [Video]

Key Takeaways

An experimental stem cell therapy could potentially cure type 1 diabetesSeven out of 12 patients no longer needed insulin shots after receiving the therapyThe therapy introduces stem cell-derived islet cells into the pancreas, restoring natural production of insulin

TUESDAY, June 25, 2024 (HealthDay News) — An experimental stem cell therapy can essentially cure type 1 diabetes by restoring insulin production in some patients, early clinical trial results show.

Seven out of 12 patients no longer needed daily insulin shots after receiving a full dose of the gene therapy, dubbed VX-800, researchers reported Friday at the American Diabetes Association’s annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Another two needed about 70% less insulin daily to keep their blood sugar stable, results show.

“This positive data adds to the growing body of evidence for VX-880’s potential to revolutionize the treatment of type 1 diabetes,” said researcher Dr. Piotr Witkowski, director of the pancreatic and islet transplant program at the …