A study published in last week’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that people with type 1 diabetes who received stem cell transplants using their own stem cells (autologous transplant), were able to go as long as four years without needing insulin treatments. 

In addition to bone marrow stem cells collected from peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood stem cells have demonstrated the ability to alter the course of type 1 diabetes. Cord blood stem cells have successfully differentiated into insulin-producing cells in vitro and offer advantages over other stem cell sources. When compared to bone marrow and peripheral blood, cord blood is an ideal source of stem cells for use in these emerging type 1 diabetes therapies because it:

• is immediately available;
• involves a non-invasive collection process that presents no risk to the individual;
• is easily available for a patient’s own use if stored at a family bank;
• has a demonstrated clinical safety and efficacy;
• is capable of giving rise to insulin-producing cells;
• has a higher cell proliferation rate; 
• has cellular/tissue reparative capabilities.

Data from a clinical trial being conducted at the University of Florida was first presented at the American Diabetes Association in 2007. The trial is examining the use of autologous cord blood stem cells to neutralize the body’s immune attack on the pancreas and prevent the destruction of existing insulin-producing cells – without compromising the immune system via chemotherapy or radiation. Patients were given intravenous (I.V.) infusions of their own cord blood stem cells and then evaluated to measure how much insulin they were making on their own, their blood sugar levels, and the function of key immune system cells.

Preliminary observations from the trial suggest that autologous cord blood stem cell infusions may safely slow disease progression and help to preserve insulin production in children with type 1 diabetes. Researchers are now recruiting patients for phase 2 of the study. They will be investigating whether a single intravenous infusion of a child’s own cord blood stem cells followed by one year of daily vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acid supplementation can preserve beta cell function in children with type 1 diabetes.