Chinese scientists have recently made significant strides in developing treatments for diabetes, achieving notable successes in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes through innovative cell therapies.
Type 2 Diabetes Breakthrough:
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell Discovery on April 30, 2024, researchers from Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, the Centre for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Renji Hospital reported the successful treatment of a 59-year-old man who had lived with type 2 diabetes for 25 years. In July 2021, the patient received a transplant of pancreatic islet-like cells derived from his own stem cells. Remarkably, within eleven weeks post-transplant, he no longer required insulin injections. Over the following year, he gradually discontinued all oral medications for blood sugar control and has remained medication-free for 33 months. Follow-up examinations confirmed the effective restoration of his pancreatic islet function.
Type 1 Diabetes Advancement:
Building on this success, Chinese researchers have also made progress in treating type 1 diabetes. In June 2023, a 25-year-old woman from Tianjin underwent a minimally invasive stem cell transplant using cells derived from her own body. Doctors transformed her cells into insulin-producing islet cells and transplanted them into her abdominal muscles. Within three months, she began producing her own insulin, achieving stable blood sugar levels without the need for external insulin injections. This approach eliminates the need for donor cells and extensive immunosuppressive therapy, marking a significant advancement in type 1 diabetes treatment.
Regulatory Approvals and New Treatments:
In addition to these therapeutic breakthroughs, China's National Medical Products Administration approved a human-derived, ultra-long-acting GLP-1 injection developed by Shanghai-based medical technology company Innogen in February 2025. This medication is designed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults and positions Innogen as a competitor to established treatments from international pharmaceutical companies.
While these developments are promising and represent significant advancements in diabetes treatment, further research and clinical trials are necessary to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of these therapies across broader populations.
