first transplants of insulin producing cells grown from stem cells

Diabetes researchers have logged another major milestone in their efforts to get people off injected insulin. The first clinical trial in humans reported the “initial success” of transplanting pancreatic cells grown from stem cells to produce insulin.

According to the study, 35 per cent of the 17 patients who received implants showed signs of insulin production in their blood within six months, and 63 per cent within a year of having the implants removed.

According to James Shapiro, a professor of surgery, medicine and surgical oncology at the University of Alberta, the goal is to develop an “unlimited supply” of islet cells without the need for anti-rejection drugs after transplantation.

In Shapiro’s most recent research, patients in Canada, the U.S. and Europe received small devices filled with millions of cells. The cells were derived from stem cells, then chemically transformed into stem cells programmed to become islet cells.

According to Shapiro, at least one patient was able to successfully reduce their insulin dose after having 10 devices implanted.

As for next steps, researchers are planning to assess how many stem cell-derived pancreatic cells are needed for transplant to boost insulin production in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.