Treating Type 1 Diabetes - Diabetes Research Connection

Diabetes Research News
July 20, 2018

Gene Therapy Targets Pancreatic Cells in Treating Type 1 Diabetes

A major challenge in treating type 1 diabetes is figuring out how to overcome the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. The body mistakenly targets and destroys these cells leaving the body unable to manage blood sugar levels on its own. Individuals with this disease must be vigilant about checking their blood sugar and administering insulin as needed, which can be an exhausting task.

Current treatment options include injection of insulin, use of continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, stem cell therapies and implants, partial transplants, and other strategies. These treatments vary in effectiveness from person to person as well as how long they last. In addition, some require patients to continue taking anti-rejection drugs which can be hard on the body.

However, a new treatment may offer longer lasting, more effective results in the battle against type 1 diabetes. A recent study found that by using gene therapy targeting two specific genes, insulin-producing cells may be able to be recreated in the body using existing alpha cells. A healthy pancreas contains both alpha and beta cells. In those with type 1 diabetes, insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed. But when mice were injected with gene therapy to reprogram some alpha cells to take over the function of these beta cells, they were once again able to produce insulin and manage blood sugar.

The genetic changes were administered using a bioengineered virus. The virus had been altered so that it would not make the recipient ill, but could still penetrate cells to modify their DNA. The alpha cells then assumed insulin-producing functions without triggering the immune system to attack because the cells are already normally present in the body. Furthermore, researchers found that by delivering the gene therapy endoscopically into the pancreas, it stayed there and did not negatively impact other areas of the body.

While the treatment only lasted approximately four months in mice, scientists believe that it could be effective for several years in humans before retreatment would be necessary. The researchers are seeking FDA approval to begin clinical trials on humans using this gene therapy to evaluate its effectiveness and safety in treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There are approximately 30.3 million people in the United States and 422 million people worldwide affected by diabetes.

The Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) is excited to see how gene therapy may advance treatment options for type 1 diabetes and improve quality of life for millions of people. The DRC supports novel research studies for type 1 diabetes and provides essential funding early career scientists to carry out these studies. To learn more about current projects and donate to this research, visit Our Projects.

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Diabetes Research News
May 25, 2018

Are Artificial Pancreas Systems Effective in Treating Type 1 Diabetes?

There are many options available for treating type 1 diabetes from regular finger pricks and injections of insulin to continuous glucose monitoring systems to artificial pancreases and more. However, each person must find what works best for them in the management of their disease.

One treatment method that has undergone recent study is the use of artificial pancreas systems. According to researchers led by Eleni Bekiari, MD, Ph.D., at the Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Medicine Unit at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, these systems can provide positive results for some patients in managing their T1D. Throughout a series of 40 studies encompassing 1027 participants, artificial pancreas systems were found to not only be safe but also an effective line of treatment.

The study compared several different factors of single and dual hormone systems but mainly focused on the percentage of time normal glycemic levels were maintained. These results were measured against patients using standard insulin-based treatments. The study found that those individuals using the artificial pancreas systems experienced higher durations of time where their blood sugar levels were in the normoglycemic range, including overnight – 15.15% for artificial pancreas systems versus 9.62% for insulin-based treatment. There was also less deviation between blood sugar levels.

The researchers found that “artificial pancreas systems are an efficacious and safe approach for treating outpatients with type 1 diabetes.” More research and clinical trials are necessary to further explore the benefits and long-term outcomes of these systems. The Diabetes Research Connection is committed to supporting early career scientists in advancing their research and delving more deeply into topics related to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of type 1 diabetes. The DRC provides essential funding for researchers to carry out peer-reviewed, novel research projects. To learn more about current projects and support these efforts, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

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Diabetes Research News
March 27, 2018

Exploring Beta Cell Regeneration in Treating Type 1 Diabetes

In individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing beta cells necessary for managing blood sugar. Instead, patients must constantly monitor their own blood glucose levels and administer the proper dosage of insulin as necessary. In individuals without T1D, the pancreas does this automatically.

Some of the challenges that researchers have faced in trying to treat or cure T1D through cellular means is that the body may still reject these cells, there may be a shortage of donor cells, or the process of creating necessary beta cells can be complex. However, researchers at the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine may have found an effective way of using the body’s existing cell supply to generate insulin-producing beta cells.

The researchers identified the exact location in the body of progenitor cells with the ability to develop into beta cells. When stimulated by bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7), a naturally occurring growth factor, the pancreatic cells differentiated into the necessary beta cells. This discovery could lead to a significant supply of new beta cells within patients’ own bodies, eliminating the need for donor cells and curbing other immune-related challenges of treatment.

This process still requires more in-depth study, but it could lead the way to new regenerative medicine strategies that stimulate insulin production more naturally. The researchers are currently exploring options to reduce the need for lifelong anti-rejection drugs by enhancing immune tolerance of the newly created cells.

This study is another step toward advancing the treatment of T1D and providing patients with more options for care. The more scientists learn about the causes and effects of T1D, the more they can target approaches to treatment.

The Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) stays abreast of the latest developments in the field and encourages novel research projects by early-career scientists focused on T1D. The DRC raises funds through contributions by individuals, organizations, and foundations to support the advancement of these studies. Find out how you can get involved by visiting http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

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Diabetes Research News
December 8, 2017

Treating Type 1 Diabetes with Synthetic Cells

Treating type 1 diabetes (T1D) takes careful planning and calculation. Individuals must test their blood to determine their blood glucose level, then calculate exactly how much insulin they need to inject. They must pay careful attention to what they eat and how their body responds. This is because, with type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells. In individuals without T1D, these beta cells automatically secrete insulin to keep blood glucose levels in check.

However, researchers from the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State are testing synthetic cells that could replace those cells that have been destroyed and automatically release insulin in response to the body’s needs. They have created “artificial beta cells” or AβCs that are packed with insulin-stuffed vesicles. When blood sugar rises, the coating of the artificial cells changes and insulin is released. The cells would need to be injected every few days, or can be delivered by a skin patch that is replaced regularly.

These AβCs are an advancement in potential treatments for T1D. There are some studies regarding transplanting cells – whether donor cells, modified cells, or harvested cells – but the challenge is that they often require some immune suppression, can be very expensive, and the body generally ends up destroying these cells as well. The synthetic cells would be regularly replaced with new AβCs as they distributed their insulin. Studies conducted in mice have found that blood glucose levels returned to normal levels within one hour and were maintained for up to five days.

According to John Buse, MD, PhD, the Verne S. Caviness Distinguished Professor at UNC, chief of the division of endocrinology, and director of the UNC Diabetes Care Center who is a co-author of the study, “There is still much work needed to optimize this artificial-cell approach before human studies are attempted, but these results so far are a remarkable, creative first step to a new way to solve the diabetes problem using chemical engineering as opposed to mechanical pumps or living transplants.”

While this approach is still in development and requires more extensive testing, it is a step in the right direction for improving quality of life for individuals with T1D and improving management of the disease.

The Diabetes Research Connection supports innovative research to prevent or cure type 1 diabetes, reduce complications of the disease, and improve quality of life. Early career scientists can receive up to $50,000 in funding for their research through donations by individuals, corporations, and foundations. Click to learn more about current projects and provide support.

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