[lolc]

There is already a therapy that transfers beta cells from healthy people to T1 patients. The trouble is that the patients have to take immunosuppressants ever after to prevent the immune system from killing the cells off again. And I don't think that cells grown from stem cells would fare better, because it was the patients immune system that killed the beta cells in the first place.

Your typical T1 will prefer insulin therapy over immunosuppressants.

[rland]

It takes time (several months) for islet cells to get destroyed by the body. That's the origin of the "Honeymoon phase" experienced by some t1ds after diagnosis. So successful islet cell transplants last for a few months; at the beginning, the patient is nearly cured, and then their islet cells are slowly destroyed by the body. So the appeal of stem cell treatment is that you get a single booster of islet cells every couple months. No nasty immunosuppressants required, because the body doesn't reject stem cells crafted from its own cloth.

[lolc]

Ah if it lasts longer I can see how it would become an option. In my case the "honeymoon" took the better part of a year and if that phase could be repeated it would definitely improve my therapy.

[guywhocodes]

> Your typical T1 will prefer insulin therapy over immunosuppressants.

Me and me father both have T1 and he has received transportation of beta cells. Only because he was already on immune suppressants. I'll take insulin every day for the rest of my life happily if I never end up with his general health issues.