Stem Cell Therapy for Treating Diabetes

About Us

In the realm of stem cell healthcare, Cellebration Wellness stands as a beacon of excellence, driven by a passionate and extraordinary science team with a commitment to innovation. With a rich history of clinical research, collaborative partnerships, and a patient-centric approach, Cellebration Wellness is paving the way for a future where stem cell treatments offer unprecedented hope and healing for individuals around the world. As a leader in the field, Cellebration Wellness continues to shape
the landscape of healthcare, proving that the future of medicine lies in the transformative power of stem cells. Located in the stunning backdrop of Costa Rica, a country synonymous with safety, stability, and world class healthcare, Cellebration Wellness combines groundbreaking healthcare with the natural splendor of this beautiful and majestic nation to offer a world-class experience.

Cellebration Wellness is the stem cell healthcare partner of Cellebration Life Sciences, Inc., one of the world’s leading stem cell research firms. Our science team, headed by Anand Srivastava, PhD, is composed of twelve pioneers in the field of stem cell research and maintains affiliations with leading medical colleges and universities throughout the world. Our team has a combined history of more than one hundred years of clinical research. It is this depth of experience and knowledge that sets Cellebration Wellness apart from other stem cell treatment providers.

We help all types of patients from those with life-long issues, those focused on health and beauty, weekend warriors, and professional athletes. Beyond the science and innovation, Cellebration Wellness places a strong emphasis on a patient-centric approach. Every treatment plan is meticulously crafted, taking into consideration the individual needs and circumstances of each patient. The commitment to personalized care ensures that patients feel supported and empowered throughout their stem cell healthcare journey.

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic disease characterized by the inability of the body to regulate blood glucose levels, affects millions worldwide. Overt 537 million adults are living with diabetes worldwide. By 2030 the number is projected to rise to 643 million and to 783 million by 2045. Three in four adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries. The current treatment options, primarily based on insulin administration and lifestyle modifications, offer symptom control but fail to address the underlying causes. Stem cell therapy presents a promising solution by targeting the root cause of diabetes through the regeneration of insulin-producing cells
in the pancreas. This white paper outlines the potential of stem cell therapy in treating diabetes, the challenges in its clinical application, and the outlook for its use as a curative approach.

Overview of Diabetes

Diabetes is primarily classified into two types.

• Type 1 Diabetes (T1D):An autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas.

• Type 2 Diabetes (T2D):Characterized by insulin resistance and a progressive decline in insulin secretion.

In both types, the absence or insufficiency of insulin impairs the body's ability to regulate blood glucose levels, leading to complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and kidney failure. While treatments like insulin therapy and glucose-lowering drugs are effective in controlling symptoms, they do not address the fundamental problem of β-cell deficiency or dysfunction.

Stem Cell Therapy: A Promising Approach

Stem cell therapy offers a regenerative medicine approach to treating many ailments and diseases. Stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types and possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties. These characteristics make them particularly promising for treating conditions associated with may diseases.

In treating diabetes, stem cells, due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types, offer a novel approach to replacing lost or damaged pancreatic β-cells. This could potentially restore normal insulin production and lead to a functional cure for diabetes.

Types of Stem Cells

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

• Found in bone marrow, adipose (fat) tissue, and umbilical cord tissue.
• Primarily known for their ability to differentiate into bone, cartilage, and muscle cells, making them ideal for treating musculoskeletal conditions.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)

• Typically sourced from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.
• Mainly used in the treatment of blood-related disorders but have potential applications in chronic pain conditions involving the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPCs)

• Typically sourced from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.
• Mainly used in the treatment of blood-related disorders but have potential applications in chronic pain conditions involving the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs)

• Derived from early-stage embryos and can differentiate into all cell types in the body.
• Use is controversial due to ethical concerns, and there may be potential risks of immune rejection and tumor formation.

Mechanisms of Stem Cell Therapy in Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

the body’s immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Stems cells may help as follows.

Beta Cell Replacement

• Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into insulin-producing beta cells. These new beta cells can be transplanted into patients, potentially restoring the body’s ability to produce insulin.

Immune Modulation

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties. In T1D, MSCs may help prevent the immune system from attacking beta cells, preserving remaining cells and reducing the need for insulin injections

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

Insulin resistance and eventual beta-cell dysfunctional are the main problems. Stem cells may help as follows.

Regeneration of Beta Cells

• Stem cells and iPSCs can regenerate damaged beta cells, potentially improving insulin production over time.

Reduction of Inflammation

• MSCs reduce systemic inflammation, which is a significant factor in insulin resistance. This can improve the body's response to insulin, stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Clinical Evidence and Research

Significant progress has been made in translating stem cell therapy into clinical applications for diabetes. Severalclinical trials and preclinical studies are demonstrating that stem cell-derived beta cells can normalize bloodglucose levels in diabetic models. Techniques like encapsulation protect these cells from the immune system,making it more feasible for human treatments. Stem cells offer a potentially transformative approach todiabetes, addressing both the underlying loss of beta cells in T1D and insulin resistance in T2D.

• Viacyte’s PEC-Direct and PED-Encap Trials: These clinical trials use stem cell-derived pancreatic progenitor cells enclosed in a device to prevent immune rejection while allowing the cells to sense blood glucose and release insulin. Early-phase trials have shown promising results, though challenges remain in achieving long-term functional β-cell replacement.

• Vertex’s VX-880 Therapy: Vertex Pharmaceuticals is conducting clinical trials on VX-880, a stem cellderived islet cell therapy aimed at treating T1D. Early results from patients have shown that the transplanted cells can produce insulin and significantly reduce or eliminate the need for external insulin administration.

• CRISPR-Based Stem Cell Therapies: : Emerging gene-editing technologies like CRISPR are being integrated with stem cell therapy to create insulin-producing cells that are resistant to autoimmune attack. This combination of regenerative medicine and genetic engineering holds great promise for overcoming the immune-related barriers to successful treatment.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the immense promise of stem cell therapy for diabetes, several challenges need to be addressed.
Even with advanced differentiation protocols, stem cell-derived β-cells can still be recognized and attacked by the immune system, particularly in T1D patients. Encapsulation technologies and immunosuppressive strategies are being
explored, but they present their own risks and limitations.
The potential for tumor formation from pluripotent stem cells (such as ESCs and iPSCs) remains a significant concern. Ensuring the purity of stem cell populations and the control of their differentiation into fully functional β-cells is crucial to mitigating this risk.

Large-scale production of functional β-cells that can meet the global demand for diabetes treatment remains a technological and logistical challenge. The manufacturing process must be standardized and scalable while maintaining strict quality control to ensure the efficacy and safety of the therapy.

Outlook

Stem cell therapy has the potential to revolutionize diabetes treatment, offering a functional cure rather than lifelong management of symptoms. Research into combining stem cell therapy with gene-editing techniques, advanced encapsulation technologies, and immune-modulating approaches could accelerate the translation of this therapy into widespread clinical practice.

Conclusion

We can expect more clinical trials to refine these therapies, improve their safety and efficacy, and make them more accessible to the tens of millions of people living with diabetes. With continued innovation and collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, stem cell therapy could become a cornerstone of diabetes treatment. As the field of regenerative medicine continues to evolve, stem cell therapy holds the potential to revolutionize the treatment of diabetes and improve the quality of life for patients worldwide.

References

Andrzejewska, A., Lukomska, B., Janowski, M. (2019). Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cells: From Roots to Boost, Stem Cells, Volume 37, Issue 7, July 2019, Pages 855-864.

Drew, L. (2021). . How stem cells could fix type 1 diabetes. Nature, Vol. 595(7867):64-66.

Grattoni A, Korbutt G, Tomei AA., et. al. (2024). Harnessing cellular therapeutics for type 1 diabetes
mellitus: progress, challenges, and the road ahead. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2024 Sep 3. doi: 10.1038/s41574-024-
01029-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39227741.

Kumar, V., Abbas, A. K., & Aster, J. C. (2017). . Robbins Basic Pathology (10th Edition). Philadelphia:
Elsevier.

Margiana, R., Markov, A., Zekiy, A.O., et. al. (2022). Clinical Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cell in
Regenerative Medicine: A Narrative Review. Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 13, 366.

Montagnoli, T.L.; Santos, A.D.; Sudo, S.Z., et. al. (2024). Perspectives on Stem Cell Therapy in Diabetic
Neuropathic Pain. Neurol. Int. 2024, 16, 933-944. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint16050070.

Mukherjee S, Yadav G, and Kumar R. (2021). Recent trends in stem cell-based therapies and applications
of artificial intelligence in regenerative medicine. World J Stem Cells. 2021 Jun 26;13(6):521-541.

Pagliuca, F., Millman, J., Gurtler, M., et. al. (2014). . Generation of Functional Human Pancreatic β Cells in
Vitro. Cell. Vol. 159(2):428-439.

Rezania, A., Bruin, J., Arora, P. et al. (2014). Reversal of Diabetes with Insulin-Producing Cells Derived
from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Nature Biotechnology, 32(11), 1121-1133.

Vertex Type 1 Diabetes. Vertex R & D Pipeline 2024.

ViaCyte and CRISPR Introduce New Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes. (2022). diaTribe Learn 2022.

ViaCyte Reports Compelling Preliminary Clinical Data from Islet Cell Replacement Therapy for
Patients with Type 1 Diabetes. (2021). PR Newswire 2021

Download Pdf