Vertex Pharmaceuticals just announced preliminary results from a trial that explores a new intervention to treat type 1 diabetes. The early results are very promising.

The first person with type 1 diabetes to receive this new stem-cell derived experimental therapy, had an 91% drop in their insulin needs. The person has lived with type 1 for over 40 years. After the intervention, they not only experienced a reduction in their insulin needs, their fasting C-peptide levels went from undetectable to 280. This dramatic C-peptide increase is a clinical indicator of stem-cell therapy success and endogenous insulin secretion.

These results are exciting and offer hope for a potential new treatment approach for type 1 diabetes.

VX-880 is a stem cell derived therapy that replaces damaged beta cells with healthy transplanted insulin producing cells in clinical trials. However, these new cells are at risk for attack by the body’s immune system, so immunosuppression therapy is currently required for stem-cell transplant success.

The future goal is to create a version of this treatment that doesn’t require immunosuppressive therapy. And Vertex, the makers of VX-880 are working on creating an encapsulated islet cell program that doesn’t initiate an autoimmune attack.

For more information and clinical trials, click this link.

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Resources for People Living with Type 1 Diabetes

Below is a list of helpful online resources for Type 1 Diabetes. They include sites for national organizations like the American Diabetes Association (ADA), sites for diabetes interest groups, and other participant organizations that provide helpful diabetes tips and opportunities to join online groups. Click here for a Type 1 Resource Handout to share with colleagues and people living with type 1 diabetes.

Click the links below to visit the website:

• Let’s fight Type 1 Together | American Diabetes Association (ADA)
• Mental Health Resources Directory | ADA
• Type 1 Diabetes Resources and Support | Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Explore our informational guides or make a personal connection with someone experienced with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The JDRF community has you covered.
• Empowering Youth with Type 1 Diabetes |The Chris Dudley Foundation
• The National Institutes of Health Diabetes Resources | CDC
• The College Diabetes Network: Focuses Specifically on Young Adults with Diabetes | College Diabetes Network
• The Diabulimia Helpline: for Individuals Having Eating Problems
• Beyond Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 1 Diabetes Online Community
  • Mental Health Resources website
• Connected in Motion: Peer-Based Sports & Outdoor Adventures for those with Type 1 (in U.S. and Canada) | Connected In Motion
• Diatribe: Library of Online Resources, Blog & Community Forums
• Diabetes Education: At times it might seem overwhelming, but you can thrive with diabetes, and a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist can help. Includes a link to find a diabetes program near you.

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