Diabetes Type I


Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a promising approach for treating type 1 diabetes due to its immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. The result from clinical trials have been encouraging with results indicating that MSC helps restore function of islet β cells in a longer time

Key Insights

Lower Insulin Requirements: In multiple studies, the insulin requirements decreased compared to control groups. One study could show that some patients even achieved insulin independence.

Improved C-Peptide Concentration: Multiple studies were able to show constant or improved C-peptide concentrations through out the studies.

Excellent Safety Profile: Of 217 patients treated no treatment associated adverse event is reported, and most studies report no side effects of MSC treatment

Clinical trials

Lu, J. et al. (2021) ‘One repeated transplantation of allogeneic umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells in type 1 diabetes: An open parallel controlled clinical study’, Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 12(1). doi:10.1186/s13287-021-02417-3.

Lu, J. et al. (2021) ‘One repeated transplantation of allogeneic umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells in type 1 diabetes: An open parallel controlled clinical study’, Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 12(1). doi:10.1186/s13287-021-02417-3.

Cai, J. et al. (2015) ‘Umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cell with autologous bone marrow cell transplantation in established type 1 diabetes: A pilot randomized controlled open-label Clinical Study to assess safety and impact on insulin secretion’, Diabetes Care, 39(1), pp. 149–157. doi:10.2337/dc15-0171.

Araujo, D.B. et al. (2020) ‘Allogenic adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells and vitamin D supplementation in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: A 3-month follow-up pilot study’, Frontiers in Immunology, 11. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.00993.

Izadi, M. et al. (2022) ‘Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed type-1 diabetes patients: A phase I/II randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial’, Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 13(1). doi:10.1186/s13287-022-02941-w.

Chahal, J. et al. (2019) ‘Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell treatment in patients with osteoarthritis results in overall improvement in pain and symptoms and reduces synovial inflammation’, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 8(8), pp. 746–757. doi:10.1002/sctm.18-0183.

Lu, J. et al. (2021) ‘One repeated transplantation of allogeneic umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells in type 1 diabetes: An open parallel controlled clinical study’, Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 12(1). doi:10.1186/s13287-021-02417-3.