Disease Fact Sheet: Diabetes
The proof of principle for replacing beta cells in diabetes was first demonstrated through organ donor (allograft) pancreas transplants, which can achieve insulin independence in individuals with T1D, post-pancreatectomy diabetes and those with T2D who require insulin. While the islet transplant approach has demonstrated the benefits of replacing beta cells in both T1D and T2D, as well as in individuals requiring total pancreatectomy, this approach is limited by the availability of donor organs. As a result, there has been an intense interest in the diabetes community regarding the potential for stem cell-based beta cell replacement for patients with diabetes who require insulin therapy.