Stem Cell Therapy: Recent Success and Continuing Progress in Treating Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a cluster of metabolic diseases, resulting in high blood glucose levels, is prevalent in today’s world. The global costs of diabetes and its consequences are rising and are expected substantially increase by 2030, especially in middleand lower-income countries. Evidence-based therapies, specifically targeting the reduction of high blood glucose levels, and minimizing diabetic complications, are currently the choice of treatment. Stem cell therapy offers a promising vision to treat DM. Although challenges are still posed with this line of therapy, studies have produced regenerative beta-cells which closely resemble insulin-secreting cells. A number of sources for stem cells have been explored, ever since the proof-of-concept for cell therapy was laid down. This review summarizes stem cell therapy in the treatment of DM.