DRC & Research News

This page shares the latest news in T1D research and DRC’s community.

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Patents Approved for Small Molecule Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes

There are numerous approaches to managing, treating, and potentially curing type 1 diabetes (T1D). Some focus on replenishing or protecting insulin-producing beta cells, some involve the development of devices that simulate similar functions, and still, others seek to zero in on issues related to the development of T1D.

ImmunoMolecular Therapeutics recently received patents for two of its small molecule therapies that can be used in the treatment of T1D. These patents provide exclusive rights to the use of methyldopa and D-methyldopa (D-MDOPA) as part of immunotherapy treatment. According to the company, “The lead candidate drug [D-MDOPA] is an oral small molecule that starves the autoimmune process in type 1 diabetes by blocking DQ8 on specific immune cells. Our goal is to preserve pancreatic beta cell function and maintain normal insulin production in at-risk and early-stage patients with type 1 diabetes.” By blocking DQ8, the immune system will not attack insulin-producing beta cells, therefore, preserving their function.

Immunotherapy is one option when it comes to treating T1D. The Diabetes Research Connection supports early career scientists in moving forward with novel research for a variety of methods used in the treatment and prevention of the disease. To learn more about current projects and support their advancement, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

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OUR PROJECTS

See our approved research projects and campaigns.

Role of the integrated stress response in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis
In individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the insulin-producing beta cells are spontaneously destroyed by their own immune system. The trigger that provokes the immune system to destroy the beta cells is unknown. However, accumulating evidence suggest that signals are perhaps first sent out by the stressed beta cells that eventually attracts the immune cells. Stressed cells adapt different stress mitigation systems as an adaptive response. However, when these adaptive responses go awry, it results in cell death. One of the stress response mechanisms, namely the integrated stress response (ISR) is activated under a variety of stressful stimuli to promote cell survival. However, when ISR is chronically activated, it can be damaging to the cells and can lead to cell death. The role of the ISR in the context of T1D is unknown. Therefore, in this DRC funded study, we propose to study the ISR in the beta cells to determine its role in propagating T1D.
Wearable Skin Fluorescence Imaging Patch for the Detection of Blood Glucose Level on an Engineered Skin Platform
zhang
A Potential Second Cure for T1D by Re-Educating the Patient’s Immune System
L Ferreira
Validating the Hypothesis to Cure T1D by Eliminating the Rejection of Cells From Another Person by Farming Beta Cells From a Patient’s Own Stem Cells
Han Zhu
Taming a Particularly Lethal Category of Cells May Reduce/Eliminate the Onset of T1D
JRDwyer 2022 Lab 1
Can the Inhibition of One Specific Body Gene Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?
Melanie
Is Cholesterol Exacerbating T1D by Reducing the Functionality and Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells?
Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells
A Call to Question… Is T1D Caused by Dysfunctionality of Two Pancreatic Cells (β and α)?
Xin Tong
Novel therapy initiative with potential path to preventing T1D by targeting TWO components of T1D development (autoimmune response and beta-cell survival)
flavia pecanha