Shanghai iPSC Muscle Injection T1D Cure — 1-Year Insulin Independence

Type: cell_therapy

Status: Proof of Concept

Developer: Shanghai Changzheng Hospital / Chinese PLA Naval Medical University

Breakthrough Summary

A 25-year-old woman with T1D received autologous iPSC-derived islet cells injected into abdominal muscle (not the liver). Published in Cell (2024), she achieved insulin independence at 75 days and maintained it for over 12 months. No immunosuppression required. HbA1c normalized to 5.0%. Follow-up through 2025-2026 confirms durability.

Mechanism of Action

Patient's own blood cells reprogrammed to iPSCs, differentiated into functional islet organoids, then injected into the rectus abdominis muscle. Autologous source eliminates rejection risk. Muscle site allows angiogenesis and engraftment without hepatic portal vein infusion.

Year: 2024-2026