In a groundbreaking development that could transform the lives of millions living with type 1 diabetes, scientists have unveiled an innovative “smart” insulin that responds to fluctuating blood sugar levels in real-time. This advance has the potential to significantly reduce the frequency of insulin injections, which patients currently administer up to 10 times daily to manage their condition.
The relentless balancing act between high and low blood sugar levels poses both immediate and long-term health risks for those with type 1 diabetes. The ongoing challenge of maintaining stable glucose levels not only impacts physical well-being but also takes a toll on mental health. Now, researchers from the United States, Australia, and China have engineered a novel insulin that acts only when necessary, offering a promising solution that experts believe may be as close to a cure as current drug therapies can achieve.
Traditional insulin therapies work by stabilizing blood sugar levels once administered, but they lack the ability to adapt to future fluctuations, often requiring multiple injections throughout the day. In contrast, these new glucose-responsive insulins (GRIs) are designed to activate only when blood sugar levels rise, preventing hyperglycemia, and deactivate when levels fall, thus avoiding hypoglycemia. Experts suggest that this could reduce the need for frequent injections, possibly down to just once a week.
The research, which has garnered millions in funding from the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge—a collaboration between Diabetes UK, JDRF, and the Steve Morgan Foundation—aims to fast-track the development of these smart insulins. The initiative has committed £50 million to cutting-edge research aimed at discovering new treatments for type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Tim Heise, vice-chair of the novel insulins scientific advisory panel for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, hailed the development as a potential game-changer. “Even with the most advanced insulins available today, managing type 1 diabetes requires significant effort to achieve a balance between acceptable glycemic control and avoiding hypoglycemia. Glucose-responsive, or ‘smart,’ insulins represent the holy grail of insulin therapy, bringing us closer to what could be considered a cure.”
Six research projects, spanning prestigious institutions such as Stanford University in the US, Monash University in Australia, and Zhejiang University in China, have received nearly £3 million in grants to accelerate the development of different smart insulin types. Four of these projects are focused exclusively on refining GRIs to act more swiftly and precisely, thereby alleviating the burdensome task of diabetes management and mitigating long-term complications.
Another project is working on a new ultrafast, short-acting insulin. Although the fastest insulins available today are effective, there remains a delay between administration and the onset of glucose regulation, which can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels before the insulin takes effect. Faster insulins could also enhance the efficacy of insulin pumps and hybrid closed-loop systems, which rely on real-time responses to blood glucose fluctuations.
The final project is exploring a novel protein that combines insulin with glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the liver to release glucose when blood sugar levels drop. This dual-hormone formulation aims to maintain stable blood glucose levels by preventing both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
“These six research projects address significant gaps in current insulin therapy,” said Dr. Heise. “If successful, they could usher in a new era in diabetes treatment.”
Rachel Connor, director of research partnerships at JDRF UK, emphasized the urgency of these advancements: “While insulin has been saving lives for over a century, managing glucose levels remains a daunting task for those with type 1 diabetes. The promise of smart insulins that can adapt to changing glucose levels in real-time could revolutionize treatment and ease the daily burden of this condition.”
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK, echoed this optimism: “Supporting these pioneering research projects could lead to insulins that mimic the body’s natural response to blood sugar changes more closely. This advancement could drastically reduce the daily challenges of managing type 1 diabetes, improving both the physical and mental health of those affected. We are hopeful that this research will bring about life-changing progress in diabetes care.”
This potential breakthrough marks a significant step towards improving the quality of life for millions of people with type 1 diabetes, offering hope for a future where managing the condition is less of a daily struggle.
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