Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions worldwide, killing more than 1 million people annually. It occurs when the body cannot properly break down glucose in the blood, leading to severe complications like heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and kidney failure. However, a recent study suggests it may be possible to permanently eliminate type 2 diabetes without the need for drugs or insulin, although further research is required.



A 59-year-old man with type 2 diabetes for 25 years faced serious risks from the disease. After undergoing a kidney transplant in 2017, he lost most of the function of his pancreatic islets, which are crucial for regulating blood glucose levels, making him reliant on multiple daily insulin injections.

Yin Hao, a leading researcher at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, reported to The Paper that the patient was at high risk of severe diabetes complications. In July 2021, the patient received an 'Innovative Cell Transplant' treatment. Eleven weeks post-transplant, he no longer needed exogenous insulin injections, and his oral medication for blood sugar control was gradually reduced and eventually stopped after a year. Follow-up tests confirmed a full recovery of pancreatic islet function, and the patient has been insulin-free for 33 months.



Professor Timothy Kiefer noted that if this cell therapy proves effective in larger studies, it could liberate patients from the chronic burden of medication, significantly improving their health and quality of life while reducing medical costs.