The challenge to effectively and safely restore proper control of blood glucose (sugar) levels (referred to as glycemic control) in people with diabetes is ongoing. The standard treatment for type 1 diabetes remains to be proper monitoring of blood glucose levels with daily insulin injections. However, patient compliance often limits its effectiveness. Pancreas transplantation is associated with limited donor tissue availability and with side effects due to the immune system suppression needed to reduce the risk of tissue rejection.
Mice studies show that the use of an antibody towards NK cells could reduce the development of diabetes in susceptible populations.
Redistributing immune cells through unpacking and repacking stem cells in the bone marrow shows promise in type 1 diabetes.
New research demonstrates that delivery of engineered therapeutic dendritic cells that target lymphoid sites of tolerance induction can compensate for failing tolerance in the patient.