T1 diabetes cure with stem cells? The Indian viewpoint

Stem cell therapy, a regenerative medicine development, has the potential to cure Type 1 diabetes by regenerating insulin-producing beta cells. A woman in China recently regained her insulin production after receiving a reprogrammed stem cell transplant, marking a significant milestone in diabetes management. T1D is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and destroys pancreatic beta cells, resulting in diabetes. Insulin therapy has been the primary treatment for T1D for decades, while type 2 diabetes is managed with oral drugs. However, stem cell therapy faces challenges in real-world practice, including invasive procedures, long-term immune suppression, and long-term immune rejection risks. In India, where over 8.6 lakh people live with T1D, stem cell treatments are far from reality due to high healthcare costs and early complications.