Terapias celulares com células encapsuladas para o tratamento do diabetes: uma revisão descritiva

Abstract

Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells (β), resulting in severe insulin deficiency and subsequent hyperglycemia. With a growing global prevalence and significant impact on public health and sector costs, traditional treatment models demonstrate pertinent limitations. Cell encapsulation emerges as a promising approach, aiming to restore physiological pancreatic function and ensure sustained glycemic control. Objective: To conduct a review on cell encapsulation applied to the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes, analyzing techniques, biomaterials, approaches, and associated challenges. Methodology: This is a descriptive literature review study conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, utilizing the keywords: IPS Cells, Type 1 Diabetes, Encapsulation, Islet Cells and Pancreatic Beta Cells. Research articles published between 2015 and 2025 that addressed the use of encapsulated cells for Diabetes treatment were included. Results: A total of 1,158 articles were initially identified, of which 56 met the inclusion criteria. These studies were subsequently organized into four main thematic categories: fibrosis, vascularization, immunoisolation, and clinical studies. The studies indicate that the use of encapsulated cells can be a promising alternative to overcome the limitations of insulin therapy. The choice of biomaterials and the types of cells used for encapsulation are fundamental to the success of the technique. The studies demonstrated continuous insulin production and sustained long-term glycemic control. Conclusion: Encapsulation of beta cells emerges as an innovative and high-impact therapeutic approach for the treatment of T1DM. With continued advancements in clinical studies, this strategy can be consolidated as a safe, effective, and immunosuppression drug-free treatment.