A UK key opinion leader perspective: Navigating the immunological and logistical transformation brought by stem cell‐derived islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes
Authors' conclusion
Stem cell-derived islets may redefine islet transplantation for T1D by enabling more scalable, less invasive and sustainable therapeutic pathways while maintaining access to technological diabetes management options.
Study context
- Population
- Islet transplantation for people with T1D; perspectives of 4 UK-based key-opinion leaders
- Participants
- 4 key-opinion leaders
- Outcome
- Future role of stem cell-derived islets (sc-islets) in islet transplantation
Methodological detailskey-opinion leader perspective, UK-based
- Key-opinion leader perspective
- UK-based
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Conventional islet transplantation constrained by donor scarcity, variable graft quality and lifelong immunosuppression (risks of infection, malignancy, calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity)
- Sc-islets from human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells provide a scalable, standardised alternative
- Early investigational products incl. Zimislecel (VX-880) show potential for insulin independence; may offer alternative to simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation
- Reducing or eliminating systemic (particularly CNI) immunosuppression via local immunomodulation, gene editing and encapsulation may broaden access
- Ethics, infrastructural and economic considerations remain central to equitable implementation
Original publication
A UK key opinion leader perspective: Navigating the immunological and logistical transformation brought by stem cell‐derived islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Diabet Med. Published 20 January 2026. doi:10.
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