The Potential of Stem Cells in the Treatment of Diabetes: An Up-to-Date Review

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus comprises a spectrum of metabolic disorders in which the body cannot adequately regulate blood glucose. In 2019, it ranked sixth among global causes of death, accounting for approximately 1.5 million fatalities. Current therapies rely on exogenous insulin or replacement of insulin-producing β-cells through whole-pancreas or isolated islet transplantation. Pluripotent stem cell (PSC)–based therapy offers a renewable source of patient-specific β-cells capable of restoring endogenous insulin production. Areas Covered: Recent breakthroughs in directing PSCs—both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)—toward pancreatic lineages are summarized in this review. PSCs efficiently differentiate into functional, glucose-responsive β-cells as well as supportive islet cell types, broadening their therapeutic scope. Notably, patient-derived iPSCs created from diverse diabetic phenotypes can be gene-corrected and matured into insulin-secreting cells, paving the way for personalized medicine. Coupling PSC technology with CRISPR gene editing, 3-D organoid culture, and immune-evasive encapsulation devices is now moving first-in-human trials toward durable, insulin-independent outcomes. Expert Opinion: Autologous PSC models not only enable mechanistic studies of diabetes pathogenesis but also guide precision drug discovery and cell-replacement strategies. To translate PSC therapy from bench to bedside, the field must still optimize differentiation yield, verify long-term safety, resolve immunogenic and ethical issues, and standardize manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions.