Science world seeks new diabetes treatments on four fronts

As diabetes turns into a global health crisis, scientists are recording promising developments in many areas, from cell transplants to gene mapping, and from next-generation drugs to stem cell therapy.

Diabetes has become one of the biggest health problems worldwide, with over 830 million patients. According to World Health Organization data, the number of patients, which was around 200 million in 1990, reached 830 million in 2022. The faster spread of the disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is pushing the scientific world to seek more fundamental solutions beyond drugs that merely lower blood sugar.

The International Diabetes Federation's 2025 figures reveal that 589 million adults aged 20-79 are living with diabetes, meaning one in every nine adults is affected by the disease. Even more alarming is that more than 40 percent of patients are unaware of their condition, and millions face complications without receiving a diagnosis.

Gel produced from amniotic membrane could break new ground in cell transplantation

Researchers from the University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals have taken a significant step in treating type 1 diabetes under the EU-supported VANGUARD project. The team developed an innovative hydrogel called "Amniogel," derived from human amniotic membrane.

According to the study published in the journal Trends in Biotechnology, this gel creates a living environment for transplanted insulin-producing cells, increasing their chances of survival and helping them establish a blood vessel network. In experiments on diabetic mice, these structures were observed to maintain normal blood sugar levels for 100 days.

However, the researchers emphasize that the technique is not yet ready for humans and that long-term safety and efficacy studies are needed.

Protein folding mechanism inside the cell under scrutiny

Scientists from the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and the University of Michigan approached the problem from inside the cell. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed the importance of the correct folding of the proinsulin protein, the precursor to insulin production, within the cell.

The study showed that a protein called BiP is a key regulator in this folding process. Scientists state that a better understanding of this mechanism could pave the way for early-stage treatments that will protect beta cells, the insulin factories of the pancreas.

Oral semaglutide delivers promising real-world data

A large-scale study conducted in Finland and published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism showcased the success of oral semaglutide used in type 2 diabetes patients in daily clinical practice. The research, which examined data from more than 7,000 adults between April 2021 and December 2023, noted that the drug provided significant improvement in blood sugar control, body weight, fat indicators, and liver functions.

The strength of the research comes from the results being derived from real-life conditions rather than controlled clinical trials, and from including groups that are often underrepresented, such as the elderly.

Gene map points to 58 unknown triggers of diabetes

Researchers from the Jackson Laboratory analyzed approximately 246,000 pancreatic cells from 48 human donors in their study published in The EMBO Journal. The team, which determined that type 2 diabetes patients lose 25 to 30 percent of their beta cells, identified 511 genes linked to the disease and narrowed them down to 58 critical candidates.

In particular, the GRAMD2B gene was found to be associated with insulin secretion and the preservation of beta cell mass, and was observed at consistently low levels in diabetes patients. A decrease in the level of the PDZK1 gene in pancreatic islets was observed to increase cell death. These findings offer a new roadmap for future drug targets.

Insulin independence on the horizon in stem cell therapy

Two separate studies presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting in June 2025 revealed notable advances in stem cell therapies. In the FORWARD study evaluating the VX-880 treatment, 10 out of 12 participants who received the full dose completely stopped taking external insulin during the follow-up period and regained their own insulin production.

However, experts warn that these treatments are still in the development phase, that larger and longer-term trials are needed, and that some methods require drugs that suppress the immune system. New research is focused on developing genetically modified cells that can evade the immune system's attack.