An estimated 2 million people in the US are living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong insulin therapy and constant monitoring. Advancements in treatment have helped many individuals with T1D live longer and manage their condition more effectively, but the disease continues to carry a heavy toll.
T1D is linked to a higher risk of complications such as nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney disease (nephropathy), vision problems (retinopathy), and cardiovascular issues. It remains a condition that imposes a significant clinical and financial burden. In 2019 alone, the economic cost of T1D in the US exceeded $30 billion.
Fortunately, recent scientific breakthroughs and clinical trials are opening up new possibilities for managing T1D. In this article, we explore the latest news on a type 1 diabetes cure and explain what this could mean for patients and families.
Can Type 1 Diabetes Be Cured?
The question of whether T1D can truly be cured has been asked for decades, and the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Unlike type 2 diabetes, which involves insulin resistance, type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune response. The immune system, which is meant to protect the body from infections, mistakenly attacks the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This results in a complete loss of the body’s ability to produce insulin.
To be considered cured, a person would need to:
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- No longer require insulin or glucose-lowering medication
- Maintain healthy blood sugar levels consistently
- Live free from the risk of autoimmune relapse or immune rejection
As of now, no treatment meets all these criteria on a long-term, large-scale basis. However, several therapies have moved beyond just managing symptoms. They’re actively working toward restoring insulin production and retraining the immune system.
In this context, researchers talk about two main types of cures:
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- Remission or functional cure: The person stops needing insulin, but still has underlying autoimmunity and may relapse without continued treatment or immune support.
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- True biological cure: The immune system no longer attacks beta cells, insulin production is fully restored, and blood glucose levels remain stable without medication.
Most promising studies today aim for a functional cure first, essentially giving the pancreas a way to produce insulin again, whether through stem cells, gene editing, or beta cell transplants. Long-term success will also depend on stopping the immune system from attacking these new or restored cells.
Recent Breakthroughs on Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
If you’re currently managing T1D, these developments may bring hope, but they also require patience. Most of these therapies are still in early or mid-stage clinical trials and years away from commercial use.
1. Zimislecel (VX-880)
One of the most talked-about developments comes from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Zimislecel (VX-880) is an experimental treatment being developed for people with T1D who struggle with severe hypoglycemic events (SHEs) and can’t feel when their blood sugar drops (impaired awareness of hypoglycemia).
It uses lab-made islet cells, which are insulin-producing cells created from stem cells. It’s given through an infusion and aims to help the body make its own insulin again, just like a healthy pancreas would.
Results from Early Studies
At the 83rd American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions in 2023, Vertex Pharmaceuticals shared remarkable results from early-phase clinical trials. Six patients received VX-880. All had no natural insulin production, had a history of frequent severe hypoglycemic events, and used about 34 units of insulin daily.
After receiving Zimislecel (VX-880), all six patients showed restored insulin production, which helped their bodies respond more naturally to changes in blood sugar.
They had lower HbA1c values and better time-in-range on continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Two participants had over a year of follow-up and became insulin independent. Their HbA1c levels dropped significantly, and they spent over 95% of the time in a healthy blood sugar range, which exceeded the ADA’s target of 70%.
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- One patient went from 8.6% to 5.3% by Month 21
- Another went from 7.6% to 6.0% by Month 12
Most side effects were mild or moderate, including dehydration, diarrhea, low magnesium, and rash. No serious side effects were linked directly to the treatment. One patient had severe low blood sugar near the time of the procedure, but this was not considered unusual given the complexity of T1D.
In June 2025, new findings continue to support zimislecel. The update includes results from 12 patients who received a full dose of zimislecel in a single infusion and were followed for at least one year. Every participant met the ADA-recommended targets. On average, patients reduced their insulin use by 92%, and 10 patients stopped using injected insulin altogether after 12 months.
VX-880 has received special support from the US and European health authorities to expedite its development, as it shows strong promise. Dr. Carmen Bozic, Chief Medical Officer at Vertex, confirmed that the company plans to complete dosing and move forward with potential regulatory submissions in 2026.
2. Gene-Editing Approaches
Gene-editing therapies are a way to treat diseases by directly changing a person’s genes. Scientists can do this in several ways, such as:
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- Fixing a faulty gene by swapping it with a healthy one
- Turning off a gene that’s causing problems
- Adding a new gene to help fight a disease
To make these changes, researchers use special tools like CRISPR-Cas9, viral vectors, and other molecular techniques to find and edit the exact spot in a person’s DNA that needs fixing.
CRISPR-Cas9 is one of the most widely used tools in gene editing. It works like a pair of molecular scissors, cutting specific parts of DNA so that genes can be removed, added, or changed. CRISPR-Cas9 has already shown success in treating:
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- High cholesterol by targeting a gene called PCSK9
- Rare genetic disorders like OTC deficiency and hereditary tyrosinemia
To date, scientists have utilized CRISPR-Cas9 to modify specific genes in over a dozen different mouse models. In one study, researchers used it to remove a gene, called AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase), from B cells (a type of white blood cell) in mice. When they removed this gene in mice, the animals did not develop type 1 diabetes.
Still, findings must be combined with human studies to fully develop safe and effective therapies.
3. Tegoprubart (AT-1501)
Islet transplantation is a medical procedure where doctors take insulin-producing islet cells from the pancreas of a deceased donor and infuse them into the patient’s liver using a small tube. However, patients still need to take immunosuppressants after the transplant to prevent rejection, which raises long-term safety concerns.
Traditionally, a drug called tacrolimus is used, but it can be toxic to the kidneys and even to the islet cells themselves. New approaches are overcoming these barriers.
Eledon Pharmaceuticals is a biotech company working on a drug called tegoprubart. It targets a molecule called CD40L, which is involved in the activation of the immune system. By blocking CD40L, tegoprubart may help:
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- Prevent transplant rejection (without wiping out immune cells)
- Support organ and islet transplants
Results from Early Studies
In 2024, researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine tested tegoprubart in three patients with T1D who received islet cell transplants. Instead of tacrolimus, they were treated with:
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- Tegoprubart (given every 3 weeks through IV)
- Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), another immune-suppressing drug
After the transplant:
| Patient Profile | Results |
|---|---|
| Patient 1 (42-year-old woman) – Needed 80 units of insulin daily before transplant |
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| Patient 2 (30-year-old woman) – Was using 60 units/day before transplant |
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| Patient 3 (37-year-old man) – Was on 90 units/day and had HbA1c of 9.3% |
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The treatment was well tolerated:
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- No serious side effects
- No episodes of dangerously low blood sugar
- No signs of transplant rejection
And interestingly, the islet cells performed 3 to 5 times better than those in people treated with tacrolimus. These early results are very encouraging and could give people with T1D the ability to live insulin-free without the risks of toxic drugs.
4. Cell Pouch™ Bio-hybrid Organ
Another advancement in islet transplantation for T1D is the Cell Pouch™ from Sernova Biotherapeutics. Normally, when islet cells are transplanted into the liver, many of them don’t survive due to poor oxygen supply and immune attack. The Cell Pouch offers a safer, more stable environment with better blood supply, which could help the cells live longer and work better.
Here’s how it works:
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- Implantation: The Cell Pouch is made from non-degradable materials and shaped like tiny cylinders. It’s surgically implanted just beneath the skin against the abdominal muscle.
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- Tissue Growth: After it’s implanted, the body starts to grow tissue and small blood vessels into and around the Cell Pouch. This happens over a few weeks.
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- Creating “Tissue Chambers”: The pouch contains plugs that are later removed, leaving open spaces filled with healthy, vascularized tissue. These are the areas where the insulin-producing cells will be placed.
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- Cell Transplantation: Once the tissue is ready (about 6 weeks after implantation), doctors transplant purified islet cells into the Cell Pouch.
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- Engraftment: Because the pouch is now full of healthy blood vessels, the transplanted cells get nutrients and oxygen, helping them survive, function, and release insulin.
Over time, the Cell Pouch acts like a mini-organ, supporting the cells so they can regulate blood sugar levels in place of insulin injections.
Results from Early Studies
All 6 patients in Cohort A of the Phase I/II clinical trial became insulin-independent after receiving islet transplants in both the Cell Pouch and the portal vein (a standard site for islet infusion). The first patient stayed off insulin for more than 4 years, with HbA1c levels (blood sugar) in the non-diabetic range (less than or equal to 6.5%).
Even 5 years after the transplant, when doctors removed the Cell Pouch due to unrelated health issues, they found:
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- The islets were still alive and functioning
- The cells inside were producing insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin (all essential hormones for blood sugar control)
- The pouch was in excellent condition, no scarring, no damage, and no breakdown of the device
The results support the idea that this system could be a long-term, functional cure for type 1 diabetes. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) reviewed the trial’s progress and gave the green light to enroll the final patient in Cohort B (the second group in the study). The DSMB also approved moving on to Cohort C, which is expected to begin in the second half of 2025.
Are We Close to a Cure?
We’re getting closer to a cure for type 1 diabetes, but we’re not there yet. Scientists have made a lot of progress in understanding the disease and finding ways to bring back insulin production. But there are still problems to solve, like needing immune-suppressing drugs, not knowing how long treatments will last, and how much they will cost. A full cure isn’t available yet, but we may be very close to a big breakthrough.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
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