• Question: is it possible to cure diabetes?

    Asked by jamesbrice to Sharon on 17 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Sharon Sneddon

      Sharon Sneddon answered on 17 Mar 2011:

      Hi James,
      At the moment, the treatment for diabetes just correct body resistance to insulin, cures for both types of the disease are theoretically possible, but neither have been realised fully as yet.

      Several potential cures for type 1 have been created, but these have only been temporary or not effective. These include pancreas transplants, and in some cases diabetic patients have become insulin independent for a temporary period of time, but sadly, the diabetes always seems to return.

      However, with stem cell therapy, transplanting insulin producing beta cells made from stem cells is another form of potential cure that has been attempted. Early trials were not that sucessful because of rejection problems. This seems to have been sorted out and there have been a few trials that look sucessful, although it’s early days. These are only just trials however, and many more will have to be done before it’s considered a true “cure”.
      I’m hopeful that diabetes will be cured sometime soon!

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