Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes: Success Rate, How It Works, and Key Benefits

In 2024, stem cell therapy made headlines when a woman with type 1 diabetes, a condition long considered incurable, stopped insulin injections. Doctors had given her insulin-producing cells grown from her own body, and a year later she still did not need insulin.

Her case is not the only one. In a clinical trial of stem cell therapy, 83% of patients with type 1 diabetes no longer needed insulin one year after treatment. In type 2 diabetes, blood sugar improved in 70% of patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells – adult stem cells taken from bone marrow, fat or umbilical cord tissue.

Results depend on the type of diabetes and on the kind of stem cells used. Prices at Bookimed's partner clinics abroad start at $5,000.

Table of Contents

1. Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes: Success Rate
2. Stem Cell Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes: Success Rate
3. Can Stem Cell Therapy Reverse Diabetes?
4. How Stem Cell Therapy Works for Diabetes
5. Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes
6. Stem Cell Types Used to Treat Diabetes
7. Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Step by Step
8. Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes
9. How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Cost?
10. Where to Get Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Abroad
11. Is Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Worth Considering?
12. FAQ

Key Takeaways

Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes: Success Rate

Type 1 diabetes has some of the most encouraging stem cell results so far. In a clinical trial of zimislecel (VX-880), 83% of patients (10 of 12) used no insulin one year after a single full dose. Zimislecel is made of islet cells grown from stem cells in a laboratory. Islet cells are the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Doctors infuse them into the portal vein, the vein that carries blood to the liver. The patients also took medicines that suppress the immune system to keep the new cells working.

Blood Sugar Results After a Full Dose

The same clinical trial measured blood sugar control in all 12 patients who received the full dose:

• Average blood sugar. All 12 reached an HbA1c (average blood sugar over about three months) below 7%. That is the goal the American Diabetes Association (ADA) sets for many nonpregnant adults.
• Time in target range. Their blood sugar stayed in the target range more than 70% of the time.
• Low blood sugar. All 12 patients were free of severe low blood sugar episodes.

For these patients, this means steady blood sugar within the recommended range and no dangerous lows – the main goals of diabetes care.

The first results appeared within three months. In an update from Vertex, the company running the clinical trial, all 12 full-dose patients were producing their own insulin by day 90. The very first patient had no detectable insulin production before treatment and received half the target dose. By day 90, the same patient used 91% less insulin each day.

A Type 1 Reversal Using the Patient's Own Cells

A single-patient case, reported in the journal Cell, went further and used cells from the patient's own body. Scientists used chemicals to turn her cells back into stem cells. They grew insulin-producing islet cells from them and placed the islets in the front wall of her abdomen. Her results were measured over one year:

• Insulin independence. She stopped insulin injections at about 2.5 months (day 75) and was still insulin-free at one year.
• Time in target range. Her blood sugar was in the target range 43% of the time before treatment and 96% by month 4.
• Average blood sugar. Her HbA1c fell to the level of a person without diabetes.

For her, this meant a full year without insulin injections, with blood sugar close to normal. These results come from studies of lab-made islet cells. Bookimed's partner clinics abroad use other cell types, such as mesenchymal stem cells, described in the section on stem cell types.

Stem Cell Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes: Success Rate

Type 2 diabetes also responds to stem cell therapy, mainly through better blood sugar control. Across clinical trials of mesenchymal stem cells in type 2 diabetes, fasting blood sugar and HbA1c improved in 70% of patients. In the review behind this figure, every patient received stem cells collected from their own body.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body responds poorly to insulin (insulin resistance) and the pancreas gradually produces less of it. Stem cell therapy aims to improve both.

What Changed After a Single Dose

The same review followed patients for 12 months after a single dose of stem cells. Over that time, patients took lower doses of diabetes medicines. Doctors also checked C-peptide, a marker of the body's own insulin production, to see how the pancreas responded.

For a person with type 2 diabetes, this can mean better blood sugar control and lower medicine doses, although results differ from one patient to the next.

A Type 2 Case Treated with Islet Tissue Grown from His Own Cells

In a single-patient case from Shanghai, a man with a 25-year history of type 2 diabetes received islet tissue grown from his own stem cells. Before treatment, he relied on daily insulin injections:

• Insulin. He stopped insulin completely by the end of week 11.
• Diabetes tablets. He stopped his oral diabetes medicines within about a year.

For him, this meant controlling his diabetes without insulin injections or tablets. This result comes from a single patient, and research in larger groups of patients is still growing.

Can Stem Cell Therapy Reverse Diabetes?

There is no approved cure for diabetes yet, but stem cell therapy has made individual patients insulin-free in clinical trials and case reports. Research is still growing, and the results above were measured over one year.

A realistic goal is better blood sugar control and a lower insulin dose. Results differ from person to person and depend on the cell type. Lab-made islet cells replace the cells that produce insulin, while mesenchymal stem cells reduce inflammation and support the pancreas.

How Stem Cell Therapy Works for Diabetes

Stem cells can make copies of themselves and develop into other cell types. Treatment for diabetes uses two groups of them:

• Lab-made islet cells. Scientists grow them from embryonic stem cells, or from adult cells turned back into stem cells, to replace the cells that produce insulin.
• Mesenchymal stem cells. They reduce inflammation and the immune attack, and they have a limited ability to become insulin-producing cells themselves.

Stem cell therapy for diabetes works through the following chain of effects:

1. Replacing beta cells. Diabetes develops when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (type 1) or the body cannot use insulin well (type 2). Lab-made islet cells contain beta cells, which produce insulin, and they take the place of damaged ones.
2. Regulating blood sugar. The new beta cells release insulin when blood sugar rises. This keeps glucose levels steadier and can lower the insulin dose a patient injects or stop injections entirely.
3. Reducing insulin resistance. In type 2 diabetes, body cells respond poorly to insulin. Mesenchymal stem cells release anti-inflammatory substances that may help cells respond to insulin better.
4. Supporting the pancreas. Mesenchymal stem cells may help repair damaged pancreatic tissue, so the remaining beta cells can keep producing insulin.
5. Regulating the immune system. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks beta cells. Mesenchymal stem cells can help regulate that response, which may protect new beta cells from the same attack.

For the patient, both routes lead to the same goal: cells that produce insulin again, or support that helps the body's own cells work better.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes

Stem cell therapy can help the body produce its own insulin again, which brings these benefits for the patient:

• Own insulin production. New or supported beta cells release insulin when blood sugar rises, as healthy pancreas cells do.
• Less or no insulin. Patients may lower their daily insulin dose or stop injections completely.
• Fewer low blood sugar episodes. Insulin released by the body's own cells matches blood sugar more closely, which can lower the chance of severe hypoglycemia.
• Less invasive treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells are given as an injection or a drip into a vein. A pancreas transplant requires major surgery and lifelong medicines to prevent rejection.

A doctor checks the type of diabetes, how long it has lasted and how much insulin the pancreas still produces. These results show whether the treatment may help. Consult your doctor before planning treatment, and bring your latest HbA1c and C-peptide results to the clinic.

Stem Cell Types Used to Treat Diabetes

Stem cell therapy for diabetes uses three groups of stem cells, and each has its own strengths and limits.

Cells from Donated Embryos

Embryonic stem cells can develop into any cell type, including insulin-producing beta cells. They can keep dividing in the lab, which gives researchers a renewable supply of cells for treatment.

These cells usually come from embryos left unused after in vitro fertilization (IVF), and their origin raises ethical concerns for some patients. Because the cells come from another person, the immune system may react to them. Patients may then need medicines that prevent rejection.

Adult Cells Turned Back into Stem Cells

Induced pluripotent stem cells are adult cells that scientists turn back into stem cells in the lab. They behave like embryonic stem cells, which avoids the ethical concerns. Doctors can make them from a patient's own cells, so the immune system is less likely to reject them. Producing these cells is complex and costly, and researchers are still working on keeping them stable during treatment.

Adult Stem Cells from Bone Marrow, Fat or Umbilical Cord

Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells found in bone marrow, fat and umbilical cord tissue. Doctors collect them, and the lab grows them in larger numbers. These cells reduce inflammation, support islet cells and may improve how the body responds to insulin. They also help regulate the immune system, which may protect new insulin-producing cells from immune attack.

Clinics also use mesenchymal stem cells for joint problems such as knee osteoarthritis.

Lab-made islet cells from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are still in clinical trials. Mesenchymal stem cells are offered at clinics abroad. The table compares the three types:

For a patient choosing treatment today, mesenchymal stem cells are the option available outside clinical trials. Ask the clinic where its cells come from.

Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Step by Step

Stem cell therapy for diabetes moves from collecting the cells to checking how well they work:

1. Cell collection. The cells come from a donor through a stem cell bank or from the patient's own bone marrow or fat. To collect bone marrow, the doctor inserts a needle into the pelvic bone. Fat is collected with liposuction, the removal of fat through a thin tube. Both procedures cause minor discomfort.
2. Lab preparation. In the laboratory, specialists separate the stem cells and grow them until there are enough for treatment. For islet cell therapy, embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells are first turned into insulin-producing beta cells.
3. Administration. The doctor gives the cells in one of these ways:
   • Injection under the skin. The cells are injected under the skin (a subcutaneous injection), usually in the abdomen, with no drip or catheter in a vein.
   • Drip into a vein. The cells are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion and travel through the bloodstream.
4. Monitoring. The doctor tracks HbA1c, C-peptide and the daily insulin dose. In clinical trials, these were checked at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes

In a review of type 2 diabetes clinical trials, blood sugar improved in 70% of patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells, and none of the trials reported severe side effects. The side effects that did occur were mild and temporary:

• Injection or infusion reactions. Mild redness, swelling or discomfort at the injection site may last a few days.
• Bloating and loss of appetite. In the Shanghai type 2 case, these lasted 4–8 weeks and eased with medicine.
• Weight loss. The same patient lost under 5% of body weight, from 80 kg to 76 kg, and the loss was reversible.
• Nausea and vomiting. Some patients in the review had nausea and vomiting.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The review also reported low blood sugar, which may happen as the body produces more of its own insulin.

Ask the clinic which side effects apply to your case and how its team manages them. Tell your own doctor about the treatment before and after it, so they can adjust your diabetes medicines.

How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Cost?

Prices for stem cell therapy for diabetes start at $5,000 in Thailand, $6,500 in Mexico and $7,400 in Turkey. That is roughly 75%–90% less than in the United States, where the treatment typically costs $30,000 to $50,000.

The table lists starting prices at Bookimed partner clinics, with typical prices in the United States and the United Kingdom for comparison:

The final price depends on the cell type and number of cells, the number of sessions and what the package includes. Prices for stem cell treatment of other conditions are in the stem cell therapy cost guide.

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Where to Get Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Abroad

Bookimed's partner clinics offer stem cell therapy for diabetes in Thailand, Mexico, Turkey and Ukraine. The clinics below are listed under Bookimed's clinic ranking policy, and a guide to stem cell destinations compares more countries.

Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in Thailand: From $5,000

In Thailand, Bookimed's partner clinics for this treatment are located in Bangkok and offer stem cell therapy alongside regenerative and anti-aging care. Among them are:

• Vega Clinic treats more than 10 conditions with stem cells and offers stem cell storage for later use.
• R3 Life Wellness Center has doctors with board certification from the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM).
• ID Clinic Bangkok is a multi-specialty center accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand.

Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in Mexico: From $6,500

In Mexico, Bookimed's partner clinics for this treatment are located in Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Among them are:

• MER Clinic Cancun uses stem cells from placenta tissue that are tested for infections. Dr. Adriana Gudiño, who leads the clinic, has over 16 years of experience in stem cell therapy and aesthetic medicine.
• Stem Solutions uses ultrasound to guide its injections.
• Juventa Regenerative Medicine in Playa del Carmen offers stem cell treatment for diabetes as part of its endocrinology care.

Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in Turkey: From $7,400

In Turkey, the treatment is available at large multi-specialty hospitals in Istanbul. For example, Memorial Şişli Hospital was the first hospital in Turkey to receive Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. It also performs organ and bone marrow transplants.

Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in Ukraine: From $10,000

Prices for this treatment at Bookimed's partner clinics in Ukraine start at $10,000.

Questions to Ask a Stem Cell Clinic Before Treatment

A clinic's answers to these questions show what the treatment includes and how the team will measure your results:

• Cell type and dose. Ask which cell type the clinic uses and how many cells one session contains. A clear answer names the cell source, such as umbilical cord tissue, and a number of cells.
• Laboratory checks. Ask how the laboratory confirms the cell count and checks that the cells are sterile (free of bacteria and viruses). A clear answer names the tests and offers a lab report for your batch of cells.
• Follow-up tests. Ask which tests the clinic will run, such as HbA1c and C-peptide, at 3, 6 and 12 months. A plan without dates or named tests gives you no way to measure the result.
• Records for your doctor. Ask which records you will take home, such as the cell type, the dose and your test results. Your own doctor uses them to adjust your diabetes medicines.

Written answers to these questions let you compare clinics on the same terms.

Is Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Worth Considering?

Stem cell therapy shows promising results for both types of diabetes. In a type 1 clinical trial of lab-made islet cells, 83% of patients were insulin-free after one year. In type 2 studies of mesenchymal stem cells, 70% of patients had better blood sugar control, and side effects were mild. It is not yet an approved cure, so the realistic goal is steadier blood sugar and a lower insulin dose. At Bookimed's partner clinics abroad, treatment starts at $5,000.

FAQ

How does stem cell therapy compare to traditional diabetes treatments?

Insulin and diabetes tablets control blood sugar day by day, while stem cell therapy aims to help the body produce its own insulin again.

Traditional treatment requires daily doses and regular blood sugar checks for life. In type 2 diabetes, patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells took lower doses of diabetes medicines over 12 months. Their blood sugar improved in 70% of patients.

In type 1 diabetes, lab-made islet cells helped 10 of 12 patients in one clinical trial stay off insulin for a year. These patients also took medicines that suppress the immune system.

After stem cell therapy, your doctor adjusts insulin or tablets step by step as your HbA1c and C-peptide results improve.

Is stem cell therapy FDA-approved for diabetes?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not fully approved any stem cell therapy for diabetes, but it has approved Lantidra.

Lantidra is a cell therapy made from donor pancreas islet cells. It is approved for adults with type 1 diabetes who have repeated severe low blood sugar episodes despite intensive care.

FDA approval applies to the United States only. In Mexico, Turkey, Thailand and Ukraine, Bookimed's partner clinics offer stem cell therapy for diabetes under each country's own regulations. A guide to stem cell regulations compares how countries regulate the treatment.

Ask the clinic which national license it holds for stem cell treatment, and share that information with your own doctor.

How long does stem cell therapy for diabetes take to work?

First results may appear within three months: in a clinical trial of lab-made islet cells, all 12 full-dose patients were producing their own insulin by day 90.

In a single-patient case, a woman with type 1 diabetes received islet cells grown from her own cells. She stopped insulin injections at about 2.5 months (day 75), a study in Cell reports. In a type 2 diabetes case, a man treated with islet tissue from his own stem cells stopped insulin by week 11.

With mesenchymal stem cells, results build up more gradually. In a review of type 2 diabetes clinical trials, doctors checked HbA1c and C-peptide at 3, 6 and 12 months after a single dose.

How long do the results of stem cell therapy for diabetes last?

Results have lasted at least one year in recent stem cell clinical trials, and research on longer follow-up is still growing.

In the zimislecel clinical trial, 83% of patients (10 of 12) were insulin-free one year after treatment. In a single-patient case of type 1 diabetes, the patient was still insulin-free at one year.

In type 2 diabetes clinical trials of mesenchymal stem cells, patients took lower doses of diabetes medicines over 12 months of follow-up.

Ask your doctor to repeat HbA1c and C-peptide tests at least once a year, so any change in your own insulin production is found early.