by Bryn Murphy
Interest in cell therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D) is growing, but most people still don’t have enough information to fully understand their options.
Today, islet replacement therapies are available in clinical practice to only those with the most severe T1D, and newer therapies are being investigated in a small number of people through clinical trials. But research is advancing quickly, and there is growing optimism about what may be possible in the coming years for more people with T1D.
In a recent survey, we heard both hope and hesitation. When people learned more about how cell therapies work, interest increased, showing how important clear and trustworthy information is.
People affected by T1D want to know: Will it work? Is it safe? What are the trade-offs? And, most importantly, what could this mean for daily life with T1D?
Why cell therapies matter for people with T1D
Living with T1D means constant decisions – balancing insulin, food, activity, and the risk of highs and lows. Even with today’s tools, the burden is real.
Cell therapies aim to replace the insulin-producing cells the body has lost. While these approaches are still in development and not yet widely available, they raise an important question: could they one day reduce the day-to-day impact of T1D?
What the T1D community told us
Between September and October 2025, we surveyed 399 adults living with T1D and 172 caregivers and supporters of people aged 16+ with T1D.
We asked about awareness, openness, and what matters most when considering new treatments.
People are interested but want more information before making decisions.
Awareness is still low, but grows with access to information
Only about one-third of respondents from a general T1D sample said they were familiar with cell therapies.
Among people connected to Breakthrough T1D, familiarity was much higher, showing the impact of trusted, accessible information.
Why information matters: it changes decisions
After reading a short explanation of cell therapies, openness to considering them increased from 47% to 57%. Curious what changed perspectives? Here’s the short explanation we shared:
“Islet replacement therapies (also known as cell therapies) for T1D aim to replace glucose-sensing, insulin-producing cells that are destroyed in a person with T1D by implanting ‘new’ islet cells into the body. Islets are the clusters of cells within the pancreas that secrete hormones. They are comprised primarily of beta cells, which secrete insulin in response to glucose. For the past 2 decades, islet therapies have been performed using islets retrieved from deceased individuals that have donated their pancreas. Although it is a quick, non-invasive procedure, people that undergo this procedure require immunosuppression to maintain cell function, just as any other organ transplant would. At the current time, these cell therapies are limited to individuals with the most severe cases of T1D. However, this is a fast-moving area of research and clinical trials are ongoing for next-generation cell therapies using islets created in the lab from stem cells, and research is looking at new ways to reduce or remove the need for systemic (general, whole-body) immunosuppression.”
When people understand their options, they feel more confident exploring them, even at an early stage of development.
What are cell therapies?
Cell therapies aim to replace insulin-producing cells destroyed in T1D by introducing new islet cells into the body.
Today:
- These therapies are only available in limited situations, primarily through clinical trials and for a small number of individuals with the most severe cases of T1D
- Most approaches use donor cells, however lab-grown cells are becoming more common
- Immunosuppressant medications are typically required
Looking ahead:
- Researchers are developing lab-grown cells (from stem cells)
- New approaches aim to reduce or eliminate immunosuppression
This is a rapidly evolving area of research, but it is not yet a widely available treatment option.
Why people are interested in cell therapies
People told us these therapies could:
- make everyday life with T1D easier
- reduce the constant mental load
- improve long-term health outcomes
- offer new and innovative options
For many, even the possibility of reducing daily burden is meaningful.
What concerns people
People also shared important concerns, including:
- wanting more research and long-term evidence
- the need for immunosuppressant medications
- feeling their current management is working well
- age or other health considerations
These reflect the real-world trade-offs people weigh every day, especially for treatments that are still emerging.
What people need to know before deciding
Before considering cell therapies, people want clear answers to practical questions:
- How effective is it?
- What are the risks of immunosuppression?
- How long do results last?
- What are the costs?
- Is it safe?
People are looking for clarity, not just hope.
Where people get trusted information
People rely on:
- healthcare providers (67%)
- diabetes research and advocacy organizations (58%)
- online research (41%)
Those connected to the T1D community are especially likely to turn to organizations like Breakthrough T1D, reinforcing the need for clear, credible information.
What this means for the future
Awareness of cell therapies is still growing but interest is there, especially when people have access to the right information.
Today, access remains very limited and largely confined to clinical trials. But progress in this field is moving quickly, and there is cautious optimism that these therapies could become more widely available in the coming years.
At Breakthrough T1D, we are focused on three things:
- Supporting research to develop and test cell therapies
- helping the T1D community understand what’s coming and what it means
- working to ensure that, when these therapies are ready, people who could benefit can access them
Breakthrough T1D is not only committed to educating the T1D community but is also expanding our work in Medical Affairs to educate Canadian healthcare providers about emerging therapies and clinical trials in Canada.
We will continue to share clear, balanced information so people can make informed decisions and feel confident navigating what comes next.
Learn more and stay connected
- Explore current clinical trials in Canada: Find a clinical trial
- Stay informed: Sign up for our newsletter
This initiative was sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The sponsor had no influence on the survey design, delivery, analysis, or any other aspect of this research. All findings reflect the independent conclusions of Breakthrough T1D Canada.
