From healthline.com/health
Stem cell therapy is an emerging treatment for type 2 diabetes. Although it’s not yet FDA-approved in the United States, it is a rapidly expanding and promising field of research.
Stem cells are special human cells that can become many different types of cells. Because of this special property, doctors are investigating the potential of stem cell therapy to treat many conditions.
People with type 2 diabetes don’t make an adequate amount of insulin to manage their blood sugar. Stem cell therapy may potentially allow people with type 2 diabetes to start producing more insulin again and reduce the need for medications.
The effectiveness and safety of stem cell therapy for treating diabetes are still under investigation, but some early studies have found promising results.
Stem cell therapy involves taking stem cells from your body or another human’s to help regenerate damaged tissues.
Stem cells can be collected from foetal and adult tissues, such as:
- fat tissue
- umbilical cord
- bone marrow
- placenta
The diabetes epidemic remains one of the biggest health crises in the United States. Roughly
Researchers continue looking for new treatment options, and stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising option. Its use in humans is still being investigated, and more research is needed to assess its long-term effectiveness and safety accurately.
According to the authors of a 2025 letter to the editor, their team identified 143 diabetes stem cell therapy clinical trials worldwide from 2000 to 2024. Of these, 19 trials were ongoing.
Research on type 2 diabetes
Most research to date has examined stem cell therapy as a treatment for type 1 diabetes.
In 2008, a team of researchers recruited a small group of 25 people with type 2 diabetes for a phase 1 clinical trial examining the effectiveness of stem cell therapy combined with hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The researchers found that all measured markers, such as fasting glucose levels and insulin requirement, improved at a one-year follow-up.
Since then, more studies
Further ongoing trials have also shown that stem cell therapy may help improve diabetic complications such as:
Modern research
In 2024
The results of current trials for type 2 diabetes look promising. Future research will focus on analysing long-term results and safety in larger groups.
Many clinical trials are currently underway. For instance, one clinical trial that’s currently recruiting is examining the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for treating type 2 diabetes that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
A phase II clinical trial that isn’t yet in the recruiting phase is examining the effectiveness and safety of a type of stem cell therapy that involves taking cells from your own body.
Treatment for type 2 diabetes typically consists of making lifestyle changes and sometimes taking medications. Commonly prescribed medications include:
- metformin
- sulfonylureas
- glinides
- GLP-1 receptor agonists
- DPP-4 inhibitors
- Thiazolidnediones
These medications help improve your blood sugar management, but they need to be taken continuously to be effective. Stem cell therapy is an attractive alternative since it can potentially be curative after one treatment.
Stem cell therapy is still an experimental treatment. Researchers are continuing to see who might make a good candidate. For now, researchers may offer it as an experimental treatment for people who haven’t responded to other treatments.
Researchers are continuing to examine the safety of stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes. Some concern is that it could encourage tumour formation.
Side effects reported in clinical trials included:
Improvements in blood sugar management have been reported in as little as weeks. For example, in a 2024 case study, researchers observed improvements in a 59-year-old man with severe diabetes complications within 2 weeks.
Stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes is still under investigation. In the United States,
The FDA hasn’t yet approved stem cell therapies for diabetes.
Stem cell therapy isn’t yet available for treating type II diabetes in the United States. Because it’s not approved for use, it’s also not covered by insurance.
To get a rough idea of the cost, in one study, researchers estimated that the average price of stem cell therapy for diabetes might range from $5,000 to $50,000.
Little research examines the long-term effectiveness of stem cell therapy for diabetes. Most current studies have had follow-ups shorter than 1-2 years. Although it shows a lot of promise, more research is needed to judge long-term results accurately.
Can you still have traditional treatment during or after stem cell therapy?
Some people seem to reduce their need for medications or can stop taking medications altogether after stem cell therapy.
Stem cell therapy is being investigated as a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes. In theory, it may allow the body to produce more insulin to better regulate blood sugar levels.
Stem cell therapy isn’t yet FDA-approved in the United States for treating diabetes, but researchers continue examining its safety and effectiveness. The field of stem cell therapy is expanding rapidly, so it’s likely that many more studies will be completed in the next few years.
https://www.healthline.com/health/stem-cell-for-diabetes-type-2#stem-cell-therapy
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