As advanced as science and technology have gotten, there are still some diseases that scientists have yet to discover a full cure for, such as type-1 diabetes which is something that is more “managed” than cured. However it looks like researchers at ViaCyte could be getting close and have since created what they’re calling a “functional cure”.
Basically this involves a therapy based on stem cells where insulin can be released into the patient’s body when needed. For those unfamiliar with type-1 diabetes, it is a condition in which the person’s pancreas produces too little or no insulin, which means that those who suffer from it will have to constantly monitor their glucose levels and take supplemental insulin, which can sometimes be difficult especially when traveling.
However before we get too excited, it seems that this research is still in its early stages. The first round of clinical trials was conducted to see if the stem cells could fully grow into the cells necessary to produce insulin. The good news is that the trials were successful, but the bad news is that the number of cells within the implants weren’t enough to treat actual patients.
ViaCyte is quick to point out that this is by no means a full cure as it does not address or treat specific causes of the condition. It will also require patients to take immunosuppressive drugs to protect the created cells from their own body’s immune system, but we guess at least it is a step in the right direction.