Improved Insulin Secretion Following Intrapancreatic UCB Transplantation in Patients With T2DM

Context: Transplantation with stem cells has been reported as a potential treatment for diabetes. However, there are few reports examining transplantation with umbilical cord blood (UCB) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of intrapancreatic UCB transplantation in patients with T2DM. Design and Setting: Three patients were enrolled in the study, which was performed in a hospital setting from 2010 to 2012, and the duration of follow-up was approximately 6 months. Patients and Interventions: UCB cells were infused by microcatheter into the dorsal pancreatic artery in 3 T2DM patients with different diabetic histories. Main Outcome Measures: Blood glucose (including 72-h continuous blood glucose), C-peptide, hemoglobin A1c, the requirement for insulin, and transplant complications were monitored before and after transplantation. Results: After the transplantation, C-peptide levels had increased in all of the patients. In addition, the 72-hour continuous blood glucose monitoring results obtained after transplantation revealed that levels were more stable than before transplantation for all of the patients (P < .05). In addition, the requirements of insulin were reduced in all patients after transplantation. Conclusion: UCB transplantation may be an approach that could somewhat improve C-peptide levels in patients with T2DM.