Regenerative medicine and cell-based approaches to restore pancreatic function

Both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic pathologies bear tremendous costs to health-care systems and patients alike; identifying cell-based therapies for restoring exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or replacing inadequate β cells in patients with diabetes are important targetsTwo strategies for restoring pancreatic function are through differentiation of stem cells and reprogramming of cells through gene therapyBeyond functional assessments, considerations for delivery of stem-cell-derived β cells include implant site and decreasing immunosuppression requirementsIn situ reprogramming strategies must consider different risks than cell delivery approaches, including lack of specificity and unpredictable off-target effectsNeither approach is ready to supersede enzyme replacement therapy or exogenous insulin delivery, but with continued progress cell replacement strategies could become the standard of care