Type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects millions of people and requires constant attention. For patients and families, managing the disease can be physically and emotionally demanding.
People with T1D must carefully monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day. They must also balance meals, activity levels, and insulin doses to keep glucose within a healthy range.
When blood sugar rises too high or falls too low, serious complications can occur.
Over time, poorly controlled blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels. In severe cases, those complications can become life-threatening.
Two Stem Cell Approaches Target Type 1 Diabetes
Researchers are developing new therapies that could reduce much of that daily burden.
Two CIRM-supported programs, led by Encellin and ViaCyte, are pursuing similar goals through regenerative medicine.
Both teams have developed small, implantable devices containing stem cell-derived cells.
These cells are designed to sense changes in blood glucose levels and release insulin when needed.
The goal is to recreate the body’s natural ability to regulate blood sugar.
If successful, these therapies could provide patients with a long-term source of insulin-producing cells and reduce their reliance on frequent monitoring and injections.
A Potential Alternative to Daily Insulin Management
Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Without insulin, the body cannot regulate glucose levels properly.
Current treatments help patients manage the disease, but they do not replace the lost cells.
Stem cell-based therapies take a different approach.
Researchers aim to replace or restore the function of the missing insulin-producing cells. By doing so, they hope to create a more durable and natural solution.
While these therapies remain under development, they represent an exciting step toward transforming how T1D is treated.
Inside the Latest Episode of Talking ’Bout (re)Generation
To learn more about these approaches, CIRM recently spoke with two leaders in the field:
- Dr. Crystal Nyitray of Encellin
- Dr. Manasi Jaiman of ViaCyte
In the latest episode of Talking ’Bout (re)Generation, they discuss how their technologies work, the challenges of developing cell therapies for diabetes, and the potential impact for patients.
The conversation offers an inside look at how stem cell science is advancing toward therapies that could improve the lives of people living with T1D.
For patients, families, and anyone interested in regenerative medicine, the episode provides a thoughtful look at two promising efforts to move beyond disease management and toward lasting solutions.
We sat down with two key members of the Encellin and ViaCyte teams, Dr. Crystal Nyitray and Dr. Manasi Jaiman, to talk about their research, how it works, and what it could mean for people with T1D. That’s in the latest episode of our podcast ‘Talking ‘Bout (re)Generation’.
I think you’ll enjoy it.
Thank you for this encouraging update on research and development of T.1 diabetes management and eventual cure. I have a few questions as follows?
1. Are the encapsulated stem cells taken from our own bodies? If not, then why not?
2. In the same way that quick and thorough research in to Covid19 vaccines, is it feasible to ask why can’t the same resources be adopted to this research and treatment? I think Diabetes consumes around 15% of total budget spend in the USA and the same in the UK so it’s extremely important that more is done.
3. Is there research being done using stem cells to repair the damage caused by Diabetes, such as nerve damage, macular degeneration, vascular problems etc?
4. How can I or anyone else apply to be used in the human research of these treatments? ViaCyte appear to be a little further advanced and may require more human ‘guinea pigs’!
Hi Richard, great questions
1) No, they are taken from healthy donors so the researchers can have a supply on hand. Ultimately this will make any successful therapy cheaper.
2) It’s easy to forget that research had been going on for COVID-like diseases for more than a decade so when the pandemic hit and the researchers were quickly about to break down its genetic code it was a relatively straight forward thing to engineer a way of blocking the virus. With an autoimmune disorder it’s a lot more complex and, as you can see, it’s taking longer.
3) There is research being done to address some of the other issues caused by diabetes
4) The easiest way to apply is to reach out to the companies that are doing the clinical trials and see if you are a good candidate for their approach. You can find a list of companies doing this work on the http://www.clinicaltrials.gov website.
Thank you for your response. I’ll follow up with the details you’ve provided.
Much appreciated.
A very informative and interesting article Kevin. I too live with (and support) family members with diabetes and am fully aware of the devastating effects on them and life in general. The science around at the moment is just amazing and I will be watching the development of this with interest! Thanks again – Anthony (in the UK)