Kyoto University Hospital to Begin Clinical Trial for Easier Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
Kyoto University Hospital is set to begin a clinical trial in February 2024 to develop a more convenient treatment for severe type 1 diabetes. This trial will involve transplanting pancreatic islet cell sheets derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into patients.
The research team, which includes scientists from Kyoto University's Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), aims to alleviate the burden on patients who currently rely on daily insulin injections. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys pancreatic islet cells, leading to a significant reduction in insulin production. Unlike type 2 diabetes, which can often be managed with lifestyle changes, type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections to regulate blood glucose levels.
The clinical trial will involve three patients between the ages of 20 and 64 with severe type 1 diabetes. The safety of the transplantation method will be monitored over a year. If successful, this technology could potentially eliminate the need for daily insulin injections and significantly improve the quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes.
The research team plans to put its transplantation method into practical use in the 2030s after its safety and effectiveness are confirmed. This innovative approach holds promise for a future where people with type 1 diabetes no longer need to rely on insulin injections.