Over the past 20 years, significant advancements in stem cell research and therapies have been one of the most promising methods of creating new insulin making cells needed to cure type 1 diabetes.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company, recently began a clinical trial where it plans to treat 17 participants who have type 1 diabetes with new stem cell derived insulin making cells. The first patient in the trial has had positive results.

Other companies around the world including ViaCyte and CRISPR, as well as Novo Nordisk, one of the biggest insulin manufacturers in the world, are also working on curing the disease. CNBC explores why finding a cure for diabetes is so hard and just how close Vertex and other companies are to solving this problem.

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How There Could Finally Be A Cure For Diabetes

An implantable, bioartificial pancreas at the University of Arizona Health Sciences may soon provide a new treatment option for adults and children with Type 1 diabetes.

For the approximately 1.6 million people who live with Type 1 diabetes, insulin is a lifeline. Without it, the body can go into shock, resulting in organ damage, swelling in the brain and even death. Currently, the only way for a person with Type 1 diabetes to get this life-saving insulin is by regularly measuring their blood sugar levels with a self-administered blood test and then giving themselves necessary injections, or by using an insulin pump, an external device that delivers insulin as needed through a tube placed under the skin.

A UArizona Health Sciences research team led by Klearchos Papas, PhD, a professor at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson, is closing in on a better solution. Dr. Papas is developing a tiny implantable device that mimics the normal function of the pancreas, the organ responsible for insulin production.

Dr. Papas’ solution comes in the form of an oxygen-enabled implantable pouch packed with islets that are separated and protected from the body’s immune system. The device differs from an insulin pump in that it will closely mimic a normal pancreas and offer more durable, timely and accurate glucose sensing and insulin.

“The beauty of our approach is that instead of having to inject yourself with insulin, you have cells producing it on demand and releasing it as needed,” said Dr. Papas. “You essentially replace the physiological function of insulin production as close to what you had with your original pancreas.”
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The numbers are surely attention getting: nearly 7 million Americans have undiagnosed diabetes. What gets less notice are the early warning signs.

“If they’re not going to their doctor, if they’re not seeing their physician they’re not having those lab works, they’re not reporting their signs they could just be going along with their normal daily activities,” says Melanie Aracri, a certified diabetes educator for Lee Health.

All too often patients show up at a hospital in a health crisis and find out they have highly elevated blood sugar. New studies find 1 in 10 heart attack patients may have undetected diabetes. We’ve broken down 5 warnings signs that should get your attention.

“The three classic signs of high blood sugar, we call them the three “P”s: polyphagia, polydipsia, and polyuria. Those are increased thirst, increased hunger, and increased urination,” says Aracri.

It’s easy to minimize increased thirst, especially when it’s hot. And frequent urination seems to naturally follow. But experts say it could be our body’s way of flushing extra glucose.

“The kidney has to work really hard to get that blood sugar out, that blood glucose out when it’s high,” says Aracri.

Wounds that don’t heal could be another warning sign.

“The body’s not able to fight that infection because of that extra glucose in the system,” says Aracri.

Frequent yeast or urinary tract infections may also be a red flag many people fail to consider. The earlier diabetes is picked up, the easier it is to avoid complications.

“it’s a learning how to adapt your eating pattern, your meal plan to your lifelong activities and daily habits,” says Aracri.

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