"As the paper's authors pointed out, the process of suppressing someone's immune system in order to transplant tissue from a donor "is associated with wide-ranging side effects." The cells transplanted into the patient described in the study were genetically altered "to avoid rejection." Twelve weeks after the procedure, the patient's immune system did not appear to be rejecting the cells."
""Although it is well established that pancreatic islet cell transplantation at a target therapeutic dose can predictably allow patients with type 1 diabetes to live without insulin therapy, until now these patients must take lifelong, significant immunosuppression, which is frequently toxic and difficult to tolerate,""
A genetically edited pancreatic islet-cell transplant was given to a person with type 1 diabetes without concurrent immunosuppression, and the recipient began producing insulin. The transplanted cells were edited to reduce immune-rejection risk, and evaluations twelve weeks post-procedure found no apparent immune rejection. Avoiding lifelong immunosuppression could prevent the frequent toxicity and tolerance problems associated with current islet transplantation. Biotechnology companies developing similar edited-cell therapies plan further clinical studies in 2026 while experts vary in confidence about how broadly the approach will translate to more patients. Longer follow-up and larger trials are required to assess durability and safety.
Read at InsideHook
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