Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells Transplantation with Cholecalciferol Supplementation in Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Patients: Twelve Months Follow-Up

To evaluate safety and therapeutic effect along 12 months of allogenic adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) transplantation with cholecalciferol (VITD) in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D). Prospective, phase II, open trial, pilot study in which patients with recent onset T1D received ASCs (1xKgx10(6) cells) and VITD 2000UI/day for 12 months (group 1) and were compared to controls with standard insulin therapy (group 2). Adverse events, C-peptide area under the curve (CPAUC), insulin dose, HbA1c and frequency of FoxP3 + in CD4 + or CD8+ T-cells(flow cytometry) were evaluated at baseline(T0), after 3(T3), 6(T6) and 12 months(T12). Eleven patients completed follow up (7:group 1;4:group 2). Group 1 had lower insulin requirement at T3(0.24 +/- 0.18vs0.53 +/- 0.23UI/kg, p = 0.04), T6(0.24 +/- 0.15vs0.66 +/- 0.33 UI/kg,p = 0.04) and T12(0.39 +/- 0.15vs0.74 +/- 0.29 UI/Kg,p = 0.04).HbA1c was lower at T6 (50.57 +/- 8.56vs72.25 +/- 10.34mmol/mol,p = 0.01), without differences at T12 (57.14 +/- 11.98 in group 1 vs. 73.5 +/- 14.57 mmol/min in group 2, p = 0.16). CPAUC was not significantly different between groups at T0(p = 0.07), higher in group 1 at T3(p = 0.04) and T6(p = 0.006), but similar at T12(p = 0.23). IDAA1c was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 at T3, T6 and T12 (p = 0.006, 0.006 and 0.042, respectively). IDDA1c was inversely correlated to FoxP3 expression in CD4 and CD8+ T cells at T6 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). In group 1, one patient had recurrence of a benign teratoma that was surgically removed, not associated to the intervention. ASCs with VITD without immunosuppression were safe and associated lower insulin requirements, better glycemic control, and transient better pancreatic function in recent onset T1D, but the potential benefits were not sustained.