This review article from Nature Medicine explores the advancements in stem cell therapies for diabetes, highlighting their potential to revolutionize treatment by addressing the critical shortage of functional pancreatic beta cells. It discusses the scientific progress in deriving insulin producing cells from human pluripotent stem cells, the current landscape of clinical trials, and the complex regulatory considerations essential for bringing these therapies to widespread use. The authors critically assess various strategies for enhancing cell functionality, ensuring immune evasion, achieving large-scale manufacturing, and establishing robust quality control measures, ultimately offering an optimistic outlook for the future of diabetes treatment.
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