Discovery of “Diabetes Stem Cells” and Complete Remission Achieved Through Their Elimination — Presentation at JDS 2024

May 2024 — At the 67th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Diabetes Society (JDS 2024), held in Tokyo from May 17–19, Professor Hideto Kojima and his team from the Department of Regenerative Medicine Development and the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Shiga University of Medical Science presented groundbreaking findings on the discovery of Diabetes Stem Cells (DSCs) and their role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. The session, titled “Discovery of Diabetes Stem Cells and Complete Remission of Diabetes Through Their Elimination,” drew strong interest from researchers, clinicians, and industry participants attending Japan’s largest academic gathering focused on diabetes.

The presentation highlighted how prolonged hyperglycemia alters bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells, transforming them into Diabetes Stem Cells that spread harmful effects throughout the body, including to the pancreas, kidneys, and nerves. By targeting and eliminating these abnormal stem cells, Professor Kojima’s group demonstrated the potential for complete remission of diabetes, moving beyond conventional therapies that only control blood glucose levels. The research emphasized the use of HDAC inhibitors in combination with insulin therapy to “reset” abnormal cells. These findings represent a paradigm shift in diabetes research, offering a potential cure for a disease long considered incurable.

Presented under the leadership of JDS President Kojiro Ueki, Director of the Diabetes Research Center at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, JDS 2024 convened thousands of specialists from across Japan and abroad. Professor Kojima’s talk underscored the importance of translating two decades of research into clinical solutions and generated significant discussion about the future of diabetes treatment. The enthusiastic reception confirmed growing recognition of Diabetes Stem Cells as a novel therapeutic target and positioned Shiga University of Medical Science at the forefront of innovation in diabetes research. The team remains committed to advancing these discoveries toward global clinical validation, with the goal of establishing diabetes as a curable disease.