LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2024– City of Hope®, a prominent institution renowned for its cancer research and diabetes studies, showcased groundbreaking findings at the 84th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Orlando, Florida, from June 21 to 24.
Under the leadership of Debbie C. Thurmond, Ph.D., director of the Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, researchers from City of Hope presented innovative studies aimed at enhancing diabetes management and understanding disease mechanisms. The research spanned critical areas such as reducing hypoglycemic episodes, exploring gender disparities in diabetes prevalence, and identifying novel targets for glucose control.
Dr. Julia Panzer, in collaboration with Alberto Pugliese, M.D., delved into restoring alpha cell function in type 1 diabetes (T1D), highlighting the role of inhibitory signals in regulating glucagon secretion. Their findings suggest potential breakthroughs in mitigating life-threatening hypoglycemic events among T1D patients.
Additionally, Yingfeng Deng, Ph.D., and colleagues investigated gender-specific responses to beta cell stress, uncovering differences that could explain why more men than women develop diabetes. Their work underscores the importance of biological sex in understanding diabetes susceptibility and potential targeted treatments.
Furthermore, researchers led by Adolfo Garcia-Ocaña, Ph.D., explored the role of zinc finger protein 385D (ZNF385D) in beta cell function, revealing its impact on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This discovery opens avenues for new therapeutic approaches in type 2 diabetes (T2D).
In another breakthrough, Junfeng Li, Ph.D., introduced innovative PET imaging technology to monitor functional beta cells in vivo, offering a promising tool for advancing personalized diabetes treatments.
Wilma Tixi, Ph.D., highlighted the essential role of cholesterol in maintaining pancreatic islet integrity and function, suggesting new avenues for enhancing diabetes therapies through cholesterol modulation.
City of Hope continues to lead the frontier of diabetes research, integrating cutting-edge science with clinical innovation to transform diabetes care worldwide.
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