Stem Cell Biology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences Regenerative Biomedicine 3060-7116 1 1 2024 09 01 Stem cell-based approaches for islet replacement in diabetes 36 43 384 10.22034/jrb.2024.116 EN Zahra Ghezel-Ayagh Department of Basic and Population Based Studies in NCD, Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Rayan Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute Yaser Tahamtani Department of Basic and Population Based Studies in NCD, Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Rayan Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute Babak Arjmand Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamid Reza Aghayan Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2024 05 04 Diabetes is a complex and multifactorial metabolic disease characterized by the autoimmune ‎destruction of pancreatic beta cells or a combination of peripheral insulin resistance and impaired ‎insulin secretion. Current therapeutic approaches are not curative and have their complications. Recently, stem cell-based therapies have emerged as a promising approach with the potential to restore ‎normoglycemia and beta cell function, reverse diabetes, achieve long-term glycemic control, and ‎prevent complications. ‎Various stem cell sources are being investigated to find a potential solution for  ‎manufacturing unlimited transplantable insulin-secreting cells. Significant progress has been made in preclinical studies and the generation of islet-like ‎endocrine clusters or organoids. However, the clinical translation of these cell therapies is still in the ‎early stages. New strategies such as gene editing and tissue engineering may improve the safety and efficacy of stem cell-derived beta or progenitor cell transplantation. This review discusses the current state of islet transplantation, different cell-based ‎therapies, and their potential for clinical translation, with a major focus on pancreatic organoids and ‎associated technologies.‎ https://jrb.ssu.ac.ir/article_384_c8b75bae77bd50ac3d66f4800f7c2c76.pdf