Are we any closer to a cure for type 1 diabetes?

For years we have heard about stem cells as a possible way to cure type 1 diabetes. Many times it seemed like a distant promise, but the latest results are beginning to show very concrete advances.

In recent clinical trials, researchers have enabled people with type 1 diabetes to produce insulin again by transplanting beta cells created from stem cells.In one study, 10 of 12 participants stopped needing insulin six months after treatment.

Why is it so important?

Because beta cells are responsible for producing insulin naturally.In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys them and, from that moment on, we depend on external insulin to live.

The idea behind these therapies is simple to explain, although very complex to achieve: create new beta cells in the laboratory and transplant them to the patient so that they can perform their function again.

The results are very promising, but important challenges still remain.The main one is to prevent the immune system from attacking the new cells again.To achieve this, different solutions are being investigated, such as encapsulating the cells or even genetically modifying them so that they go unnoticed by the immune system.

It is important to remember that these treatments are still experimental and not yet available for general use.Still, they represent one of the most encouraging advances we've seen in recent years in the search for a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Personally, every time news like this appears I have the same reflection: after decades talking about a possible cure, it seems that we are beginning to see real results in people and not just in laboratories.

Do you think we will see a therapy capable of definitively replacing insulin during our lifetime?

Or do you think we are still far from that goal?

It's closer now.They have found the way.

I already doubt that with the cake being divided between laboratories and pharmaceutical companies, they are going to allow the cake to go only to the first one who finds the key.There are many millions and interests here.We will see how they advance or let them advance, perhaps years ago finding the cure was a priority feat worldwide, seeing that the world has more and more inhabitants with what it entails, perhaps they will be more interested than some if the instance is shorter.

We could say the same about cancer and there are more and more types that have a cure.What economic interest is involved?Sure.But we are forgetting the tremendous health cost of treating diabetes, and for that reason alone it is worth investing in its cure.