Introduction and Objective: Advancements in stem-cell treatment (SCT) offer hope of a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). As SCT trials progress, it is important to understand why adults with T1D do or do not pursue SCT, especially in the context of advanced diabetes technology use. Our aim was to explore factors influencing pursuit of SCT.Methods: Interviews were conducted with adults with T1D who had expressed interest in SCT (CellT1D registry) and those who had not (recruited via clinics). All received a co-designed SCT information brief.Results: Among N=25 participants (n=14 on CellT1D registry, n=11 no expressed interest), 44% were female, aged 25-68 years; mean±SD age at diagnosis was 20±15 years and HbA1c was 52±9 mmol/L. All used or were offered hybrid closed-loop (HCL). Pursuit of SCT was influenced by: (i) awareness of SCT; (ii) beliefs about consequences (risk-benefit thresholds, ethical considerations and treatment success); and (iii) perceived eligibility for trials, with non-pursuers often reporting “I didn’t know they were looking for people”. Pursuit was greater among those who are White, with higher education/income, and those with lower HbA1c. T1D burden was similar across both groups and shaped risk-benefit evaluations; individuals with higher emotional burden of T1D emphasised benefits of SCTs over side effects. Physical complications of T1D heightened appeal of SCT in both groups. Some were motivated by community and scientific benefit: “if no one tries these things, it doesn’t improve for anyone”. Others pursued SCT to improve glycaemia and access better treatments, with SCT appeal greater among those experiencing HCL limitations.Conclusion: These findings suggest that pursuit of SCT is influenced by individual and environmental factors, including beliefs about SCTs, emotional burden, needs unmet by HCL, and by sociodemographic factors. This has implications for representative and appropriate recruitment as SCT trials progress.
A. Anandhakrishnan: None. J.E. Jordan: None. J. Speight: Advisory Panel; Current; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Other – AU$10k Sponsorship for PSAD 2026 conference, Geelong, Australia; Current; Sanofi. S. Hussain: Advisory Panel; Ended; Medtronic. Speaker’s Bureau; Ended; Dexcom, Inc., Abbott, Insulet Corporation. Advisory Panel; Ended; Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Speaker’s Bureau; Ended; Lilly. Consultant; Ended; Roche Diabetes Care.
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