US EditionStem cell therapy frees diabetics from insulin
CANADA, JUN 21 – A new stem cell therapy called zimislecel helped 83% of participants with severe Type 1 diabetes achieve insulin independence at one year, though immunosuppression remains necessary.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals presented phase 2 FORWARD study results on June 20-23, 2025, showing that 10 of 12 type 1 diabetes patients became insulin independent after receiving zimislecel in Chicago.
- The results followed more than 25 years of research, with patients receiving a portal vein infusion of stem cell-derived islet cells plus immunosuppressive drugs to prevent immune rejection.
- All 12 participants showed islet cell engraftment with C-peptide detected after infusion, maintained healthy glucose levels, avoided severe hypoglycemia, and 10 stopped insulin use after about six months.
- Michael Rickels expressed optimism that the results could lead to a groundbreaking therapy, while Marlon Pragnell highlighted stem cell treatment as a highly encouraging development that could significantly improve management of type 1 diabetes.
- The study’s success may lead to a regulatory submission next year and suggests a potential new treatment to restore insulin production and reduce hypoglycemia risks in type 1 diabetes patients.
70 Articles
70 Articles
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People with severe diabetes cured in small stem cell trial
A man having his continuous glucose monitor checked by his doctor. Halfpoint/ShutterstockThe cure for diabetes is a life free from daily insulin injections. Based on that criterion, ten out of 12 people (83%) in a new clinical trial were cured of their diabetes one year after receiving an advanced stem cell therapy. This study used laboratory-grown pancreatic islet cells. They were infused into the liver, where they took up residence. Within a y…
News Medical
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A pretreatment step could help transplanted pancreatic islets survive longer in patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a new preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. One combination of small molecules extended the cells' lives in female mice, and adding two molecules to the mixture boosted cell survival in male mice.
This Stem Cell Treatment Could One Day Make Insulin Obsolete
Type I diabetes is an exhausting full-time job. Having it means living a life full of constant care and maintenance. You’re always checking in on your blood sugar to make sure it isn’t too high or is it too low, extremes that could be easily reached with the most minor indulgence or tiniest bout of laziness. A new treatment, as detailed in the New York Times, might change everything we know about managing type I diabetes. Zimislecel is an experi…
Herald/Review Media
Bioethics.comPeople With Severe Diabetes Are Cured in Small Trial of New Drug
single infusion of a stem cell-based treatment may have cured 10 out of 12 people with the most severe form of Type 1 diabetes. One year later, these 10 patients no longer need insulin. The other two patients need much…
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