Australian researchers have stumbled on a breakthrough demonstrating a novel way of restoring insulin production in pancreatic cells using drugs already approved for human use. The study could be a stepping stone for significantly discovering new diabetes treatments.
Insulin Production in Pancreatic Cells Restored
Glucose levels in a person's blood are managed by the hormone insulin produced in beta cells of the pancreas. On the other hand, these cells begin to die in patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, resulting in little or no insulin production and requiring lifelong supplementary insulin shots to manage the life-changing disease.
In a recent study published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, titled "Inhibition of pancreatic EZH2 restores progenitor insulin in T1D donor," Monash University researchers identified a novel technique to restore insulin production in pancreatic cells. During lab experiments on pancreatic stem cells from donors diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, researchers were able to activate them to begin the expression of insulin once again by exposing them to a drug compound known as GSK126.
Interestingly, the progenitor cells used do not produce insulin under normal conditions, but the drug allowed them to functionally step in the shoes of beta cells that stopped working. In principle, a single course of the drug over a few days could replace the need for diabetes patients to take regular insulin shots, reports NewAtlas.
Cancer Drug Recovers Production of Insulin
Researchers say that the new potential treatment has some advantages over techniques currently being used or under development. Pancreas transplants are effective; however, they are subject to shortages of organ donors and other complications such as rejection.
Meanwhile, other researchers have been able to convert skin cells into stem cells and use them to produce new beta cells; although results have shown promise in mice models, immune-suppressing drugs need to be given to prevent rejection.
The novel treatment would work faster, within a few days, without the need for surgery or costly procedures. However, the biggest advantage of the GSk126 drug is that the US FDA has already approved it in different countries across the globe as a treatment for cancer. Its safety profile has already been assessed in clinical trials, which could reduce hurdles down the road for its use against diabetes.
Despite this, experts caution that the breakthrough is still in its early days. The experiments being conducted on cell culture still have plenty of work left. Nevertheless, it remains an intriguingly promising tool.
Dr. Keith Al-Hasani, a co-lead author of the study, explains that several issues must first be resolved before patients are involved. He adds that more work is needed to define the properties of the cells and establish protocols to isolate and expand them. Researchers think that the therapy is pretty far away. On the other hand, the study represents a vital step to devising a long-lasting treatment that may apply to different types of diabetes.
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