#29 - 🧪 Stem cells inch closer to clinic

Hey readers! 👋 This week brings some genuinely exciting news from the research world, with stem cell therapies inching closer to clinical reality and a creative new approach to insulin delivery that might eventually retire your needles. Let's dive into what's been happening in the T1D space.

Stem cell therapies are getting closer to clinical reality - National Geographic takes a deep look at Vertex's VX-880 trial, where lab-grown beta cells have restored insulin production in participants, with some staying off supplemental insulin for years. The catch? Current approaches still require immunosuppression, but parallel work on gene-edited cells that could evade immune detection is progressing. Regulatory approval could come this decade, though cost and eligibility questions remain. – National Geographic

Stanford researchers cure T1D in mice with combined transplant approach - A gentler pre-treatment regimen combining blood stem cells and pancreatic islets from the same donor created a hybrid immune system that both replaced lost islets and stopped autoimmune attacks. All 19 mice in the prevention group stayed diabetes-free, and all 9 with established diabetes were cured without ongoing immunosuppression. The components are already used clinically, making human translation more feasible. – Stanford Medicine

Needle-free insulin delivery via skin cream shows promise - Researchers at Zhejiang University developed a pH-responsive polymer that ferries insulin through the skin by switching its charge at different depths. In diabetic mice and minipigs, the topical treatment normalized blood glucose within 1-2 hours and maintained stable levels for up to 12 hours without skin irritation. Human trials are still needed, but the approach could eventually work for other biologics too. – Chemistry World

University Hospitals becomes Ohio's only Lantidra site - The FDA-approved islet cell therapy for adults with recurrent severe hypoglycemia is now available at UH. Clinical trial data showed 70% of patients achieved insulin independence at one year, with 34% maintaining it at five years. The treatment requires immunosuppression and is limited to specific eligibility criteria. – University Hospitals

EMA recommends teplizumab for T1D delay - The European Medicines Agency has recommended marketing authorization for Teizeild (teplizumab) to delay stage 3 T1D in people aged 8+ with stage 2 disease. Clinical trials showed median time to stage 3 was 50 months with treatment versus 25 months with placebo. This is the first treatment of its kind to receive such a recommendation in the EU. – European Medicines Agency

NHS rolls out enhanced hybrid closed-loop for pregnancy - Women with T1D who are pregnant or planning pregnancy can now access an "artificial pancreas" system through the NHS, backed by £3.7 million in funding. The system allows lower glucose targets essential for tighter control during pregnancy and enables remote monitoring. – Diabetes Professional Care

12-month AID study shows sustained improvements - A nationwide French study of 2,741 people with T1D found that automated insulin delivery systems improved time in range from 58% to 70% and reduced HbA1c from 7.6% to 7.0% over 12 months. Severe hypoglycemia dropped from 4.1% to 0.9%, and only 2.8% of participants discontinued use. – Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

Research reveals why T1D is more aggressive in young children - A study published in Science Advances found that small beta cell clusters in young children are particularly vulnerable to immune attack, leading to near-complete destruction. This explains faster progression and harder management in younger kids, and emphasizes the importance of early screening. – Professor Sarah Richardson, University of Exeter

Study identifies caregiver burden patterns - Research from China found that caregivers of children diagnosed 1-5 years ago face significantly higher odds of severe burden compared to those in the first year. Higher competence in managing family resources and emotional self-regulation was protective. This highlights the need for sustained support beyond the initial diagnosis period. – BMJ Group

Dexcom's 15-day G7 launches December 1 - The extended-wear sensor will offer up to 15.5 days per sensor, reducing changes and waste. It pairs with several insulin pumps and a new Smart Basal optimizer. – The Savvy Diabetic

twiist AID system offers 6-hour glucose prediction - The system combines the twiist Pump with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus CGM and iPhone/Apple Watch control. Auto Adjust updates predictions every 5 minutes and includes features like meal adjustments and activity presets. – twiist

CDCESs can safely adjust insulin remotely - The 4T Study found that Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists using secure messaging achieved excellent outcomes in newly diagnosed youth, with 64% reaching A1C below 7% and only 3 severe hypoglycemia episodes over a year, none related to the dosing protocol. – PubMed

Breakthrough T1D highlights grassroots advocacy impact - The Special Diabetes Program provides $160 million annually to NIH for T1D research, and advocates played a key role in its renewal. Personal stories demonstrate how federal funding drives technology advances. – Breakthrough T1D

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