Systemic glucose homeostasis via pancreatic beta cell replacement

Systemic glucose homeostasis via pancreatic beta cell replacement is a therapeutic strategy rather than a single molecular target (NIDDK, 2023). It focuses on restoring the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels by introducing functional, insulin-producing beta cells into patients with diabetes, particularly Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (Shapiro et al., 2017). In T1D, the autoimmune destruction of native beta cells leads to a total loss of endogenous insulin, necessitating lifelong exogenous insulin therapy. Beta cell replacement can be achieved through the transplantation of cadaveric donor islets, such as the FDA-approved Donislecel (Lantidra), or through emerging stem-cell-derived insulin-producing cells like VX-880 (FDA, 2023; Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 2023). These therapies aim to eliminate severe hypoglycemic episodes and reduce or remove the need for external insulin injections by restoring physiological insulin secretion. However, the approach faces significant hurdles, including the need for lifelong immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection and the potential risk of teratoma formation in stem-cell-derived products (Lablanche et al., 2018).

Other names

Pancreatic islet transplantationBeta cell replacement therapyIslet cell therapyStem cell-derived beta cell therapyIslet transplantation

Restoration of endogenous insulin production and physiological glycemic control through the transplantation of functional, insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells or islet clusters (NIDDK, 2023).