The first human trial of gene-edited insulin-producing cells has shown promising results, marking a significant step forward in diabetes treatment. The trial, which involved injecting the edited cells into a 42-year-old man with type 1 diabetes, has successfully demonstrated that the cells can survive and produce insulin for a month following the procedure.
In this initial phase of testing, a limited number of insulin-producing beta cells were injected into the patient’s forearm muscle as a precautionary measure. Consequently, the patient continues to require insulin injections. The long-term efficacy and sustainability of the gene-edited cells remain to be determined.
