A Groundbreaking Step Toward a Type 1 Diabetes Cure
- Rebecca Guldberg
- Sep 1
- 2 min read
A report in Scientific American describes a significant advance in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Researchers have successfully transplanted genetically engineered insulin-producing cells into a human subject without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. This marks the first documented case in which modified beta cells have survived and functioned in the absence of immune suppression. (Scientific American)
Study Overview
The subject, a 42-year-old man with type 1 diabetes, received approximately 80 million pancreatic islet-like cells that had been edited using CRISPR technology. Specific genes were inactivated to prevent recognition by the immune system, while other modifications enhanced the cells’ ability to resist immune attack. The cells were implanted into skeletal muscle in the patient’s forearm.
Fourteen weeks post-transplant, the engineered cells remained viable and were producing insulin in response to food intake. Importantly, the patient did not require immunosuppressive drugs—commonly used in prior transplant studies but associated with elevated infection and cancer risk.
Results
The transplanted cells provided measurable insulin production, estimated at approximately 7% of the patient’s total insulin requirement. While the subject continued to require external insulin administration, the restored beta-cell activity demonstrated proof of concept that gene-edited cells can survive and function in the human body without immune suppression.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Per-Ola Carlsson, a cell biologist and study investigator, described the outcome as one of the most significant findings of his career. However, experts emphasize caution. According to Dr. Laura Alonso of Weill Cornell Medical College, the results—though promising—are preliminary, as the report is based on a single patient and the degree of insulin restoration was limited. Long-term safety and durability of the transplanted cells must be confirmed before clinical application can be expanded.
Future Directions
Researchers plan to continue monitoring the patient for one year to evaluate safety and sustained function. Additional studies will test increased doses of cells and explore scalable stem-cell–based sources for producing insulin-secreting cells in larger quantities. If these approaches prove effective, this strategy could represent a major step toward treating type 1 diabetes and potentially other autoimmune diseases.
Source: “New Cell Transplant for Type 1 Diabetes Sidesteps Need for Immunosuppressants,” Scientific American, August 28, 2025. Read the article here.
About Direct Diabetes
Direct Diabetes has been helping people with diabetes for nearly 30 years by mailing the supplies they need directly to their home, and helping them avoid the hassle of having to go to a pharmacy. From Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) to insulin pumps and testing supplies, our goal is to take the stress out of managing diabetes so patients can focus on living healthier, fuller lives. We work directly with doctors and insurance companies to make the process simple and affordable—and we’re proud to be a trusted partner in the diabetes community.
📞 Contact Us: 480-998-5551
🌐 Website: DirectDiabetes.com
📲 Follow Us:
