Kyoto University Hospital is taking a significant step forward in the treatment of type 1 diabetes by initiating a clinical trial that utilizes cellular sheets derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. This trial, set to commence in February, seeks to develop a more convenient and effective treatment method for severe diabetes cases by transplanting pancreatic islet cell sheets into patients suffering from the condition. By focusing on addressing the immune abnormalities and pancreatic islet cell destruction that characterize type 1 diabetes, the medical center aims to enhance insulin production and potentially reduce the reliance on daily insulin injections for patients.
While type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, type 1 diabetes necessitates insulin injections multiple times a day to regulate blood glucose levels, posing a considerable burden on patients. Recognizing the challenges faced by type 1 diabetics, the team from Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) is pioneering a novel approach that could revolutionize diabetes treatment. By transforming pancreatic islet cells from induced pluripotent stem cells into sheet form, the researchers aim to offer a promising alternative to existing therapies, such as scarce islet cell transplants from deceased donors.
Through this innovative transplantation method, whereby engineered pancreatic islet cell sheets will be subcutaneously transplanted into patients’ abdomens, Kyoto University Hospital hopes to pave the way for a transformative treatment option for individuals with type 1 diabetes. The planned phase I trial, which involves three patients with severe diabetes aged between 20 and 64, will assess the safety and efficacy of the cellular sheets over a year. As the team progresses towards practical application in the 2030s pending successful trial outcomes, the potential of this technology to reduce blood glucose fluctuations and emergency medical visits for diabetes patients is a promising prospect for the future of diabetes management.