A groundbreaking drug therapy has been shown to boost insulin-producing cells by 700%, effectively reversing diabetes in mice.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine reports a novel drug therapy that can increase insulin-producing cells by 700% within three months, effectively reversing diabetes in mouse models. This breakthrough offers promising prospects for potentially curing
A study published in Science Translational Medicine reports a novel drug therapy that can increase insulin-producing cells by 700% within three months, effectively reversing diabetes in mouse models.
This breakthrough offers promising prospects for potentially curing millions living with diabetes. In healthy individuals, beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. However, in diabetes patients, these cells are damaged or dysfunctional, necessitating insulin injections for management.
Current research focuses on restoring beta cell function. One approach involves using stem cells to generate new beta cells for transplantation, seen as a potential functional cure for diabetes.
Researchers at Mount Sinai and City of Hope have achieved a significant advance. Unlike previous methods requiring beta cell growth in labs prior to transplantation, their study induces growth of insulin-producing cells directly within the body over a few months.
The therapy combines harmine, a natural compound inhibiting the DYRK1A enzyme in beta cells, with a GLP1 receptor agonist, such as Ozempic, known for weight loss effects.
In mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, researchers implanted human beta cells and treated them with harmine and GLP1 receptor agonists. Within three months, beta cell numbers increased by 700%, with signs of diabetes reversing and remaining improved even after treatment cessation.
Dr. Adolfo Garcia-Ocaña, the study’s corresponding author, noted this is the first drug treatment demonstrating an increase in adult human beta cell numbers in vivo, offering hope for future regenerative therapies for diabetes patients worldwide.
While promising, further research is needed before clinical application in humans. Harmine has completed a phase 1 clinical trial for safety in humans, with plans for other DYRK1A inhibitors in upcoming trials.
Future research aims to combine beta-cell-regenerating drugs with immune system modulators to address challenges posed by immune system attacks on newly produced beta cells.
