Goodbye diabetes: a promising cure advances giving hope to 800 million people

Diabetes, one of the world’s most widespread diseases, now affects over 800 million people globally, a staggering increase from 190 million in 1990. This alarming rise has driven scientists to tirelessly seek a cure. At last, there seems to be a breakthrough that could change the future of diabetes care.

A major leap forward in treatment

Researchers have made significant progress toward a groundbreaking treatment that could revolutionize how the disease is managed.

Goodbye to daily injections

At the heart of this breakthrough is harmine, a drug first identified in 2015 as a potential tool for regenerating pancreatic beta cells—the cells responsible for producing insulin. Harmine belongs to a class of inhibitors called DYRK1A. When combined with other treatments, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) like semaglutide and exenatide, harmine’s effectiveness has been amplified. Studies show this combination can multiply beta cell mass by up to 700%.

However, the most exciting development lies in a recent discovery: alpha cells, another type of pancreatic cell, can transform into beta cells. Since alpha cells are abundant in people with diabetes, this finding could pave the way for restoring insulin production without the need for daily injections. This breakthrough is particularly promising for individuals with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

A new era of hope for diabetics

“This is an exciting finding that shows harmine-family drugs may be able to induce lineage conversion in human pancreatic islets,” said Esra Karakose, one of the lead researchers behind the study. “It may mean that people with all forms of diabetes have a large potential ‘reservoir’ for future beta cells, just waiting to be activated by drugs like harmine.”

If these advancements continue to develop, patients could leave behind the burdensome and costly regimen of insulin injections. Instead, a simple pill—potentially paired with a GLP-1RA—could offer an accessible and affordable solution for millions worldwide.

Original article written by Mario Sáez, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Greg Heilman.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.