Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in China: Results, Success Rates, Trials & Access (2026)
China has reported important stem-cell and islet-cell milestones in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Some individual patients in published studies became insulin-independent. That is not the same as a routine cure, and it does not mean the same protocol is available as a paid treatment to every patient.
Short answer: China has reported insulin independence after stem-cell-derived islet treatment
in individual type 1 and type 2 diabetes research patients. However, there is no reliable universal success rate
and no routine stem-cell cure for diabetes in China.
Published examples include a type 1 diabetes patient who became insulin-independent 75 days after autologous
CiPSC-derived islet transplantation and a type 2 diabetes patient whose insulin was completely withdrawn by the end
of week 11 after autologous stem-cell-derived islet-tissue transplantation. These were highly selected research cases.
Access in 2026 depends on the exact route: a registered clinical trial, a locally authorised programme such as a
Boao Lecheng route, or a separate commercial offer.
✓ No cure guarantee
✓ Research ≠ commercial package
✓ Trial status checked by protocol
✓ Hospital acceptance must be confirmed
Stem-Cell Treatment for Diabetes in China: Established Care or Research?
Do not treat “stem-cell treatment” as one uniform product.
Separate established diabetes care from published research, registered clinical trials and commercial offers.
Before discussing access, identify the exact intervention, the level of evidence, the trial or regulatory status,
the treating institution and the date the information was verified.
Standard diabetes treatment
Insulin, glucose-monitoring technology, medication, complication management and other established care should remain separate from experimental cell-therapy claims.
Evidence from defined patients or studies
A peer-reviewed result can show what happened under a specific protocol. It does not prove routine availability, general effectiveness or suitability for another patient.
Experimental treatment under a study protocol
Trial status, site, eligibility and current screening must be checked in the live registry and with the study team. A listing does not guarantee enrollment or international access.
A paid offer needs separate verification
A self-pay package should not be assumed to use the same cell product, manufacturing process, protocol or evidence as a published study or registered clinical trial.
A special-zone programme, such as a route inside Hainan Boao Lecheng, also needs its own current authorisation, provider and access check. It should not be treated as ordinary nationwide standard care or automatically equated with a registered clinical trial.
What Has China Actually Achieved With Stem Cells for Diabetes?
The search results around this topic mix research headlines, clinical-trial listings and paid treatment offers. The first step is to separate what has actually been published from what is currently available to a patient.
One patient in the 2024 Cell report achieved sustained insulin independence beginning 75 days after transplantation.
In a 2024 Cell Discovery pilot case, insulin was gradually reduced and completely withdrawn by the end of week 11.
These results do not establish a standard stem-cell cure for the general type 1 or type 2 diabetes population.
A paper or registry listing does not automatically mean that an overseas patient can receive the same intervention.
What is the success rate for stem-cell therapy for diabetes in China?
There is no scientifically valid single success rate. Published islet-replacement cases, MSC-based studies,
registered clinical trials and commercial stem-cell offers use different interventions, protocols and patient-selection
criteria. A result from one research patient or one study should not be converted into a general percentage for all
people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Why the headlines can be misleading:
“A patient became insulin-independent” is a real clinical outcome in a defined study. It is not the same statement as
“China now offers a proven stem-cell cure for diabetes.”
Has China Cured Diabetes With Stem Cells?
The most accurate answer is: China has reported functional insulin independence in individual research patients,
but stem-cell therapy is not a routine established cure for diabetes.
The strongest published China-specific cases are early proof-of-concept studies. They are clinically important,
but they do not prove that the same outcome will occur in other patients or with unrelated commercial stem-cell products.
What the published cases do show
Stem-cell-derived islet tissue can restore insulin production and glucose control in selected patients under research protocols.
What they do not show
They do not establish a universal success rate, a standard nationwide treatment, or guaranteed insulin independence.
Five Different Things People Mean by “Stem-Cell Treatment in China”
This distinction matters more than the marketing label. Two offers can both say “stem cells” while using different cell types, different regulatory pathways and completely different eligibility rules.
1. Standard diabetes care
Endocrinology review, insulin/device optimisation, medication, complication management.
Established care
Not a stem-cell cure.
Not a stem-cell cure.
2. Published research
A paper describing outcomes in one or more selected patients under a defined protocol.
Evidence
Does not mean the protocol can be booked.
Does not mean the protocol can be booked.
3. Registered clinical trial
An experimental intervention with inclusion/exclusion criteria, investigators and formal follow-up.
Trial route
Recruiting does not guarantee overseas enrollment.
Recruiting does not guarantee overseas enrollment.
4. Boao Lecheng route
Locally authorised translational clinical application inside the Hainan Boao Lecheng medical pilot zone.
Special-zone access
Not the same as nationwide standard approval.
Not the same as nationwide standard approval.
5. Commercial self-pay offer
A paid package marketed by a hospital, clinic or facilitator.
Verify carefully
Price alone does not prove equivalence to published research.
Price alone does not prove equivalence to published research.
Type 1 Diabetes: What the Chinese Research Shows
Published milestone: the 2024 Cell report described one 25-year-old patient in a first-in-human Phase I
study (ChiCTR2300072200) who received autologous chemically induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived islets.
Sustained insulin independence began 75 days after transplantation and continued through the reported one-year follow-up.
Proof that patient-derived islets can function
The case showed strong glycaemic control after transplantation and supports further development of stem-cell-derived islet replacement.
One patient is not a population
The paper reports preliminary one-patient results. The patient also had a prior liver transplant and was already receiving immunosuppression.
Patient question to ask: “Is the treatment I am being offered the same cell product and protocol as the published study?”
If the hospital or facilitator cannot answer with a protocol name, trial ID and cell product, treat the claim as unverified.
Type 2 Diabetes: Published Results and a Separate 2026 Access Route
Autologous E-islet transplantation
A 59-year-old man with a 25-year history of type 2 diabetes received autologous endoderm stem-cell-derived islet tissue. The paper reports that insulin requirements fell gradually until complete withdrawal at the end of week 11, with extended follow-up.
Important context: this was a highly selected patient who had previously undergone kidney transplantation.
Umbilical-cord MSC programme for selected Type 2 patients
Public 2026 materials describe a Boao Lecheng translational clinical application using human umbilical-cord mesenchymal stromal cells for selected adults with type 2 diabetes. This is a separate medical-technology route, not the same intervention as the Shanghai E-islet case.
Current hospital availability, authorisation and individual suitability should be re-confirmed before travel or payment.
Do not combine these into one “success rate.” Islet replacement, mesenchymal stromal-cell infusion and other cell therapies
are different interventions with different biological aims, evidence levels and patient-selection rules.
International-patient access · Trial examples last reviewed 22 September 2026
Can Foreign Patients Access Stem-Cell or Islet-Cell Treatment in China?
Sometimes there may be a route to review, but access must be confirmed programme by programme. A registry can say “Recruiting” without saying whether the study accepts overseas patients, remote records or non-Chinese residents.
RGB-5088
NCT06731218 · Phase I · Recruiting
Tianjin First Center Hospital
Public criteria include age 18–60, type 1 diabetes, stimulated C-peptide <0.3 ng/mL and at least one severe hypoglycaemic event in the prior 12 months.
Recruiting
Foreign-patient access: must be confirmed with the study site.
Allogeneic anti-CD7 CAR-T
NCT07528105 · Early Phase I · Recruiting
Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
The public registry describes an early-stage T1D immunotherapy study with a small planned enrollment and protocol-specific immune criteria.
Recruiting
Foreign-patient access: must be confirmed with the study site.
Adipose-derived MSC Phase I
ChiCTR2600130840 · Phase I
Beijing Tongren Hospital + Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital
The registry lists a prospective Phase I study in adults with long-standing type 2 diabetes and defined metabolic/cardiovascular or renal-risk criteria.
Current intake to confirm
Boao Lecheng translational programme
Special-zone medical technology route
Not a ClinicalTrials.gov trial
Public 2026 programme information describes three umbilical-cord MSC infusions for selected type 2 diabetes patients inside the Lecheng pilot zone.
Verify current availability
Recruiting ≠ internationally accessible.
The status labels in this section were last reviewed on 22 September 2026 and should be checked again in the live registry
before a patient contacts a site. Final eligibility, nationality/residency rules, language support, follow-up requirements
and whether overseas records can be pre-screened must be confirmed by the hospital or study team.
Additional China Cell-Therapy Research Records to Check
ClinicalTrials.gov contains additional China-based diabetes cell-therapy records. These are research examples, not proof that a therapy is established care, currently open to an international patient or suitable for a specific case.
NCT07495956
Registry record for cfMSC therapy in diabetes, with a Shenzhen study location and Type 2 diabetes eligibility criteria.
NCT01996228
Registry record for Stem Cell Educator Therapy in children with Type 1 diabetes at a Changsha, China location.
NCT01413035
Registry record for an umbilical-cord / placenta-derived mesenchymal stem-cell study in Type 2 diabetes at the 2nd Hospital of Shandong University.
NCT07503028
Registry record for an exploratory allogeneic iPSC-derived pancreatic-islet-cell study in diabetes with severe hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia unawareness.
Live-status check required:
registry status, site activity, study contact and eligibility can change. These records should be rechecked directly
in ClinicalTrials.gov immediately before a patient contacts a site or plans travel.
How Much Does Stem-Cell Therapy for Diabetes Cost in China?
There is no single national price. The cost depends on the exact route.
A clinical trial, a Boao Lecheng programme and a commercial “stem-cell package” should never be priced or compared as if they were the same treatment.
| Route | Public / market information found | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Registered clinical trial | Protocol-related treatment may be study-funded, but travel, lodging, screening and non-protocol care can still create costs. | Ask the study site for a written explanation before arranging travel. |
| Boao Lecheng Type 2 programme | Programme-specific charges can differ by provider, protocol and what is included. Request a current written estimate from the authorised provider before planning travel. | This is a special-zone route, not a national China stem-cell price. |
| Commercial self-pay market | Advertised packages vary widely in cell source, dose, number of administrations, hospital involvement and what the quoted price includes. | A marketed price does not prove the product matches a peer-reviewed protocol, registered trial or authorised programme. |
| Standard hospital diabetes evaluation | Consultation, labs, complication work-up and specialist review are hospital-specific. | Request a written quote for the actual case. |
Before paying, ask in writing for the exact hospital, physician, cell product, cell source, dose, number of administrations, regulatory / trial identifier, pre-treatment tests, inpatient or outpatient days, follow-up, interpreter, accommodation and refund terms.
Who May Be Considered?
There is no universal “stem-cell diabetes eligibility” checklist. Each protocol or authorised programme has its own rules. The following records are useful for preliminary routing.
Type 1 diabetes
- Age and year of diagnosis
- Recent HbA1c and glucose history
- Fasting / stimulated C-peptide
- Pancreatic autoantibodies if available
- Severe hypoglycaemia and DKA history
- Insulin regimen, CGM and pump data
- Kidney, eye, heart, infection and transplant history
Type 2 diabetes
- Age, BMI and diabetes duration
- Recent HbA1c
- C-peptide if available
- Daily insulin requirement
- GLP-1, SGLT2, metformin and other medication history
- Kidney, cardiovascular and eye complications
- Previous metabolic / bariatric treatment if relevant
Parkmega does not decide medical eligibility. The investigator or treating hospital does. A preliminary review can only identify which option is worth asking about and what information the centre will need.
How to Evaluate a Stem-Cell Diabetes Offer in China
Compare the offer itself, not the marketing label. A useful review should identify what is being given, what evidence supports it, who is treating the patient and what happens before and after the intervention.
Identify the exact cell product
Cell source, manufacturing route, dose, number of administrations and whether the intervention is islet replacement, MSC-based therapy or something else.
Match the offer to the evidence level
Published case, controlled study, registered trial, authorised programme and commercial package are different levels of evidence and access.
Check the claimed status
If a trial or special authorisation is claimed, obtain the exact identifier and verify it in the appropriate current registry or official source.
Name the hospital, department and doctor
A city name or facilitator brand is not enough. The treating institution and responsible clinical team should be identifiable.
Ask how suitability is decided
Eligibility should be based on diabetes type, current control, residual insulin production, complications, prior treatment and protocol-specific criteria.
Require a clear risk discussion
Ask about procedure-related risks, immune suppression when relevant, adverse-event monitoring, uncertainties and alternatives.
Know what happens after treatment
Clarify required monitoring in China, what can be done at home, who reviews results and what happens if complications occur.
Get the medical estimate and exclusions in writing
Separate medical charges from flights, accommodation, interpretation and other non-medical costs. Ask what is not included before paying.
A commercial offer is not automatically equivalent to a registered trial or established care.
Do not infer effectiveness, eligibility or expected outcome from price, testimonials or the phrase “stem-cell treatment”.
Check a stem-cell offer or research route
Published research, a registered trial, and a commercial package are different. A marketing offer is not evidence of a cure.
What Medical Records Should You Send?
Minimum useful case file
- Diagnosis and year diagnosed
- Latest HbA1c
- C-peptide and antibodies if available
- Current insulin / medication list
- Recent kidney and liver function
- Major diabetes complications
If you already found an offer
- Hospital or clinic name
- Doctor / investigator name
- Trial, registration or authorisation ID
- Brochure, PDF or screenshot
- Quoted price and inclusions
- Proposed dates and expected stay
Related Diabetes Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Has China reversed diabetes with stem cells?
Chinese researchers have reported insulin independence in individual type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients after stem-cell-derived islet interventions. These are important research milestones, but they do not establish a routine cure for diabetes.
Can stem cells cure type 1 diabetes in China?
No routine stem-cell cure is established for type 1 diabetes. A 2024 first-in-human Phase I report described sustained insulin independence in one patient after autologous CiPSC-derived islet transplantation. Larger studies are still needed.
What is the success rate for type 2 diabetes stem-cell therapy in China?
There is no reliable universal success rate. Published islet-replacement cases, mesenchymal stromal-cell studies and commercial packages are different interventions and should not be pooled into one percentage.
How much does stem-cell therapy for diabetes cost in China?
There is no single price. A clinical trial, a special-zone programme and a commercial self-pay offer are different routes with different charging rules. Ask the exact hospital or programme for a current written medical estimate and what is excluded before making travel or payment decisions.
Can foreign patients join a diabetes stem-cell trial in China?
Possibly, but a “Recruiting” registry status does not prove international access. The study team must confirm medical eligibility, nationality or residency restrictions, language requirements, follow-up and willingness to review overseas records.
Where can I get stem-cell treatment for diabetes in China?
The answer depends on the route. Current research is linked to named centres in Tianjin, Shanghai and Beijing/Shandong, while a separate type 2 diabetes translational programme has been publicly described inside the Hainan Boao Lecheng pilot zone. Current access must be confirmed directly for the patient’s case.
Is Boao Lecheng stem-cell treatment the same as the published “diabetes cure” cases?
No. The published type 1 and type 2 insulin-independence cases used stem-cell-derived islet-replacement approaches. The publicly described Boao Lecheng type 2 programme uses umbilical-cord mesenchymal stromal cells. They are different interventions.
What records are needed for a preliminary review?
Useful records include diabetes type and duration, recent HbA1c, C-peptide, pancreatic autoantibodies when available, insulin or medication list, major complications, transplant history, and any hospital or treatment documents you have already received.
Evidence and Sources
- Wang S. et al., Cell (2024). First-in-human Phase I report of autologous CiPSC-derived islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes. PubMed PMID 39326417.
- Wu J. et al., Cell Discovery (2024). Autologous endoderm stem-cell-derived islet tissue in one insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes patient. Nature / Cell Discovery.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07495956. cfMSC Therapy for Diabetes in Shenzhen, China. ClinicalTrials.gov. Live status should be rechecked before patient contact.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01996228. Stem Cell Educator Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes in Children, with a Changsha, China study location. ClinicalTrials.gov. Live site status and age criteria should be rechecked.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01413035. Umbilical-cord / placenta-derived mesenchymal stem-cell study for Type 2 diabetes at the 2nd Hospital of Shandong University in Jinan. ClinicalTrials.gov. This is an older record and requires a fresh live-status check.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07503028. Exploratory allogeneic iPSC-derived pancreatic-islet-cell study in Hefei, China. ClinicalTrials.gov. Do not treat the registry record as proof of established care or patient eligibility.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06731218. Phase I RGB-5088 islet-cell study at Tianjin First Center Hospital. ClinicalTrials.gov.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07528105. Early Phase I allogeneic anti-CD7 CAR-T study for type 1 diabetes at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2600130840. Phase I adipose-derived mesenchymal stem-cell study in type 2 diabetes. ChiCTR record.
Medical note: This page provides information for international patients considering treatment in China. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, a recommendation to undergo experimental therapy, proof of treatment availability, or a guarantee of trial enrollment. Do not stop insulin or other prescribed diabetes treatment without your treating clinician.
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