Diabetes, a condition that affects over 537 million people worldwide, continues to present a significant health challenge. With the number of type 1 diabetes cases projected to rise from 8.4 million to between 15 and 17 million by 2040, the need for effective treatments has never been more pressing. As a venture investor in healthcare, I have witnessed firsthand the promising breakthroughs that offer new hope for those living with diabetes.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes share a common feature: the loss of functional insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. This loss has driven researchers to focus on therapies that aim to restore or regenerate these vital cells. Traditional treatment options, such as pancreas or islet cell transplants, have proven successful in some cases, but they are limited by high costs, organ shortages, and invasive procedures. Consequently, the quest for more affordable, scalable solutions is critical to addressing the global impact of this disease.
A Pioneering Search for a Simple Pill
At the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, researchers have been making strides toward a breakthrough treatment. For more than 15 years, their team has been focused on discovering a drug capable of inducing the regeneration of human beta cells. In 2015, they made a groundbreaking discovery with harmine, a small molecule that stimulates the replication of beta cells.
Esra Karakose, an assistant professor at Mount Sinai, is now leading research into the molecular mechanisms of harmine. In a recent in vitro study, her team found that harmine may induce “fate conversion” in pancreatic alpha cells, turning them into beta-like cells capable of producing insulin. This breakthrough could be pivotal, as alpha cells are abundant in individuals with diabetes, providing a new potential pathway to address the underlying cause of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, another team of researchers, including Andrew Stewart and Peng Wang, recently published a study where they tested harmine alone and in combination with a GLP-1 drug on mice transplanted with human pancreatic islet cells. The results were promising: harmine alone boosted the human beta cell mass by 300%, and the combination with GLP-1 increased it by an astonishing 700%.
These findings highlight the potential for innovative therapies that could regenerate insulin-producing cells, offering hope for millions of people living with diabetes. With further research and development, we may soon see a new era of diabetes treatment that is more accessible and effective.
Related topics:
Study Shows MIND Diet May Improve Sleep
Limiting TV Time May Reduce Heart Disease Risk, Even for Those at High Genetic Risk for Diabetes
