Hematopoietic stem cells for treatment of early-onset type I diabetes mellitus

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of inactivation of the immune system, by means of chemotherapy and immunotherapy and infusion of autologous bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells in early onset type 1 diabetes mellitus. Many of the treated patients remained non-insulin dependent for up to 2 years and there was an increase of c-peptide production. However, diabetic ketoacidosis reduced treatment effect and patients experiencing this may be less suitable for the proposed treatment.