Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
100 years ago, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was a death sentence. There was no treatment, no cure, nothing to do except put people on strict diets and hope to extend life as long as possible. In 1922, a 14-year-old patient in Toronto was the first to receive a shot of insulin. Within 24 hours, his blood glucose levels had returned to normal. The creators of insulin went on to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Advancements in treatments have improved management and quality of life for people with the condition. However, finding a cure remains a primary focus of ongoing research and clinical trials. Are you curious what the current state of diabetes research and treatment is? What are scientists focusing on for the future of care? PatientsLikeMe has a comprehensive overview.
Is There a Cure?
This is one of the most common and first questions a newly diagnosed person will ask. It is only normal! As of now, there is no definitive cure for type 1 diabetes. The problem stems from how this disease affects the body. It is, at its core, an autoimmune disorder. The immune system is incredibly complex. A vast network of cells and molecules that work together to protect our body from infection. While we know how type 1 diabetes affects the immune system, there are still questions as to why. It can develop at any age. While there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of getting the condition, it is not caused by any one genetic mutation or event. Fortunately, diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication.
Researchers are actively exploring various approaches to halt or reverse the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells. Some experimental treatments, such as pancreatic islet cell transplantation and immunotherapy, have shown promise in restoring insulin production temporarily. However, long-term effectiveness and safety remain areas of investigation.
Current Research
Immunotherapy
These are new treatments that try to reprogram the immune system. Stopping the immune system from attacking and destroying the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin would prevent the condition from developing. A new monoclonal antibody drug called Teplizumab (Tzield) has received FDA approval in the USA to delay the onset of symptomatic type 1 diabetes in individuals with early signs of the disease. Of note, this new treatment represents a paradigm shift requiring the identification of patients in the early stages of Type I diabetes to help slow the progression of the disease.
There are three stages these treatments can help people with type 1 diabetes.
- This first is prevention. By testing for markers of the disease, immunotherapies could be given before the disease is developed.
- The second stage is stopping. When newly developed, type 1 diabetes has not destroyed all of the beta cells that produce insulin. An immunotherapy could then protect the remaining cells.
- The final stage is a cure. Can the destroyed cells be replaced or regenerated? If scientists were able to develop a treatment that could accomplish that, the effects of type 1 diabetes could be reversed.
Stem Cell Therapy
Here, scientists are looking at a key issue behind the condition. When the beta cells responsible for producing insulin are destroyed, the only option is treatment of the condition. But what if those cells could be regenerated? This process could restore pancreatic function over time. If the pancreas functions normally, there would be no need for insulin injections whatsoever.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a field that focuses on modifying human cells to treat or cure a disease. Damaged genetic material in your body is responsible for autoimmune conditions. Gene editing technologies offer the possibility of correcting genetic mutations associated with type 1 diabetes. The idea is that you can use gene editing to create beta cells that are resistant to attack. If implanted in your body, these healthy cells would then replicate and bring your body back to its normal function. This technique is still in an early stage of its development.
Artificial Pancreas
Advancements in technology have led to the development of closed-loop insulin delivery systems. They typically consist of an insulin pump and a glucose monitor, both controlled by a small computer. The computer monitors your blood sugar, and dispenses insulin as needed. These are often referred to as artificial pancreas systems, which automate insulin delivery based on real-time monitoring. While not a cure, these systems significantly improve glucose control and quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes.
What the Future Holds
Despite significant progress, a number of challenges remain in the search for a cure for type 1 diabetes. As mentioned before, the immune system is very complex. Research into how it works and the effects different treatments have take time! There is also the need for personalized treatment approaches, and to ensure long-term safety and efficacy of experimental therapies.
Numerous clinical trials worldwide are focused on investigating potential treatments and therapies for type 1 diabetes. These trials vary in approach, including immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, and novel drug interventions.
One notable ongoing clinical trial is the "TrialNet" program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This study is trying to learn more about how type 1 diabetes occurs, and is done by screening close relatives of people with the condition. They draw blood from relatives, and look for diabetes-related autoantibodies. If these antibodies are present, that person then has the option to participate in further phases of the study. Researchers then monitor the person over time to see how or if diabetes develops. This program also has clinical studies for those who have already been diagnosed. The goal here is to slow disease progression, with long-term follow up and treatment.
Click here to learn more about Type 1 Diabetes.
Scientists have yet to find a definitive cure for type 1 diabetes. However, ongoing research and clinical trials offer hope for the development of innovative treatments. One day these could potentially halt or reverse the disease process. With continued investment in research and collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and policymakers, the journey towards a cure for type 1 diabetes remains an achievable goal.
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