A team of scientists is preparing to test a revolutionary treatment for type 1 diabetes that could reduce or eliminate the need for daily insulin injections.
This new treatment, called KRIYA-839, is administered only once and is designed to help the body regulate blood sugar levels on its own, potentially for life. Instead of relying on injections or insulin pumps, the treatment aims to convert the patient's muscles into cells that produce insulin naturally and sustainably.
In a world-first trial, adults with poorly controlled blood sugar will undergo testing of this gene therapy, the effects of which could last for years or even decades. Initial animal studies have shown promising results, with the treatment remaining effective for up to four years without the need for continuous immunosuppression.
Dr. Partha Kar, National Consultant for Diabetes at the NHS England, explains that this approach is "very promising" and could be a "functional treatment," adding: "It will help a lot of people if it works."
People with type 1 diabetes suffer from the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic cells by the immune system, making them dependent on daily injections or pumps to survive.
The new treatment works in an innovative way: after a single injection in the thigh, muscle cells begin producing insulin and other proteins that help regulate blood sugar levels, reducing or eliminating the need for daily injections. Importantly, the treatment does not alter a person's DNA; rather, it introduces temporary genetic instructions that control insulin production.
The trial will initially involve adults already using automated insulin delivery systems, allowing scientists to track the amount of insulin produced and the effectiveness of the treatment. Participants will receive injections in both thighs during a session lasting approximately one hour, and the full effect of the treatment is expected within two to three months.
The trial also includes a short phase of "immunomodulation" to facilitate the entry of the treatment into the cells, a crucial step according to the scientists.
Experts emphasize that this treatment is still in its early stages, and significant questions remain regarding the amount of insulin it can produce and how long its effects last. Dr. Carr stated, "Even if the treatment doesn't completely eliminate the need for insulin, reducing dependence on it would be a major achievement."
"We cannot use the term 'cure' at this stage, but the treatment has great potential," adds Tadej Batellino, head of the endocrinology department at the University Medical Center of Ljubljana. "If it can keep blood sugar levels within the normal range most of the time, it could become a practical and effective treatment."
The initial trial will last for one year, with plans to expand the studies in the future to include more patients, including those who rely on daily injections. If the results are successful, this treatment could represent a major shift in the management of type 1 diabetes, from a condition requiring constant daily monitoring to one that can be controlled with a single intervention.
For patients who are used to injections and constant monitoring throughout their lives, the mere possibility of this transformation is enough to excite them.
