Benefits observed in the reports:
Teams reported periods without insulin injections and more stable glycemic control. Glycated hemoglobin levels decreased to favorable ranges, and glucose curves showed fewer peaks and dips. There were signs of endogenous insulin production after implantation, consistent with the glucose response. For patients, this translated into simpler routines and a reduced daily treatment burden. These are concrete benefits associated with stem cells for diabetes, although still linked to small, early-stage studies.
Limitations that cannot be overlooked:
Both reports include very few patients. The sample size is one case per type of diabetes. Replication is needed in several centers with standardized protocols and multi-year follow-up. Both patients were under immunosuppression due to a history of transplantation. This point is key. In type 1 diabetes, autoimmunity persists and could attack the graft if there is no immunological protection. Immunosuppression helps implant survival, but limits widespread adoption due to risks and costs. There are also normal methodological uncertainties in early phases that will need to be clarified with robust evidence.
