A cure for type 1 diabetes is on the horizon, at least if a recent medical breakthrough from Harvard University makes it through testing and clinical trials.
Using stem cells, the research team successfully created beta cells, those cells responsible for producing insulin in the body. The idea is that these manufactured cells could be transplanted into a patient suffering from diabetes.
Researchers used two types of cells: embryonic (originating from excess used for in vitro fertilization) and manipulated iPS cells, made from skin and other cells of adults. Researchers successfully turned both groups of cells into fully functioning beta cells.
Most importantly, the procedure produced millions of beta cells, enough to cure a patient from type 1 diabetes.
When injected into animals, the manufactured cells produced startling results.
"You never know for sure that something like this is going to work until you've tested it numerous ways," says Doug Melton of Harvard University and lead author on the study. "We've given these cells three separate challenges with glucose in mice, and they've responded appropriately; that was really exciting."
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys beta cells in the pancreas, preventing that organ from making insulin, a necessary hormone that creates energy from food. This creates a high amount of glucose in the blood, which causes damage to the body and organs. Scientists don't fully understand the disease, or even what causes it, and to date, there is no cure. Those suffering from type 1 diabetes, both children and adults, rely on regular injections of insulin as a treatment, although it's not always effective.
As many as 3 million Americans have type 1 diabetes and the disease accounts for $14.9 billion in healthcare costs in the U.S. each year.
Melton's son also has the disease, which triggered his research on finding a cure 23 years ago.
Melton, however, points out that his research still requires testing, a process that could take years. However, he feels that this is a turning point in the fight against diabetes.
"We're tired of curing mice," says Melton. "Most patients are sick of hearing that something's just around the corner; I'm sick of thinking things are just around the corner. But I do believe in the big picture."
Clinical trials in humans should happen in just a few years. However, testing in primates is now underway at the University of Chicago.
