Taste bud stem cells could be key to diabetes cure

NCT ID NCT03366168

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: National Institute on Aging (NIA) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 12 times

Summary

This study explores whether stem cells from taste buds can be turned into insulin-making cells. Researchers will take tiny tissue samples from the tongues of 250 healthy adults to isolate and grow these stem cells in a lab. The goal is to see if this is possible in humans, which could one day lead to new diabetes treatments.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: taste bud stem cells
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new way to create insulin-producing cells for diabetes treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a very early pilot study in healthy volunteers, not people with diabetes. It only aims to see if stem cells can be isolated and grown in a lab; it may not lead to a treatment.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

diabetes mellitus Insulin Resistance

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DIABETES

Contacts and locations

Locations

National Institute of Aging, Clinical Research Unit
RECRUITING

Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States

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