Monday, September 1, 2014

Possible Cure for Type 1 Diabetes Announced!

Daily Call ^ | August 30. 2014 | Jennifer Runyon

I know this is a loaded and extremely controversial topic but there’s been a big break in the diabetes world. I thought it needed to be shared because no matter how you feel, it’s a big deal! ViaCyte Inc. has been given FDA approval to begin clinical trials on beta cell encapsulation.
You may be wondering why this is a big deal. You see, in Type 1 diabetes the body’s own immune system attacks beta cells found in the pancreas. These beta cells produce insulin and the attack makes them unable to do that. Because the body can no longer make its own insulin, the person must get insulin through injections or an insulin pump. Without a working pancreas, the person must work endlessly to control blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled levels can cause devastating effects such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, other complications and even death.
If only there were some way to get working beta cells into type 1 diabetics and not have the body’s immune system attack them. Well, now there just might be. ViaCyte is creating beta cells out of stem cells. They then put them in a cover that allows the produced insulin to get through it and enter the bloodstream. This cover allows the insulin to get through, but its pores are small enough to screen out components of the immune system that could attack the cells.
The encapsulated beta cells would be implanted in the body and would allow people to live as if they did not have diabetes for up to 24 months! Twenty four months without thinking about this disease…I can’t even imagine 24 minutes!
There’s so much hope riding on this trial. Since the day I was diagnosed nearly 28 years ago, my parents and I have been hearing that a cure is “right around the corner.” After hearing this and seeing no results time after time, you start to seriously doubt it. I can’t describe how exciting it is to see something finally make it to clinical trials that could actually make diabetes disappear for awhile.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m oh so grateful for the advances in technology that I’ve seen throughout my years. They’ve definitely made diabetes more manageable allowing people to have happier, longer lives. This however isn’t something that will make the disease easier; it’s something that will make the disease disappear! And it’s something I’ve been dreaming about for nearly 28 years!

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