The Longevity Reality Radar

Stem-cell islets for type 1 diabetes

Stem-cell islets for Type 1 diabetes (Vertex zimislecel / VX-880). Diabetes & metabolic. Reviewed Jul 2026.

10 of 12 patients were off insulin at one year in an early trial, but it needs chronic immunosuppression and Phase 3 results are not out.

Stage
Phase 3
Rung: In human trials. Phase 1 to 3. Being tested in people now. Most will not make it.
Evidence grade
C
12-patient early trial
Small or uncontrolled human data, or strong animal data. How grades work.

What it is

Insulin-producing islet cells grown from stem cells and infused into people with Type 1 diabetes to restore the body's own blood-sugar control.

The evidence

Phase 1/2: 10 of 12 patients (83%) achieved insulin independence at one year. Pivotal Phase 3 underway; FDA/EMA submissions expected 2026. Caveat: still requires chronic immunosuppression.

What you can do today

Outside a registered clinical trial, this is not something you can responsibly get. If it is relevant to you, the route is a trial: ask your specialist, or search a trial registry such as ClinicalTrials.gov for studies you may qualify for.

Sources

No primary paper or registry record is linked for this entry yet. The evidence summary names the studies it relies on.

Change history

No ladder moves or corrections logged for this entry yet. Changes are dated on the change log.

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