In Conversation with Dr. Delibasi: A Functional Cure for Type 1 Diabetes

New Hope on the Horizon: Dr. Tuncay Delibasi Discusses a Breakthrough Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes

We are proud to feature a recent interview from SUNY Upstate Medical University's "The Informed Patient" podcast, showcasing the incredible work and insights of Dr. Tuncay Delibasi.

A distinguished professor of medicine at Upstate specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, Dr. Delibasi discusses a groundbreaking experimental treatment that has shown remarkable success in curing the most severe form of type 1 diabetes. We are thrilled to share the key takeaways from this important conversation on our lab's blog.

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes

Dr. Delibasi begins by explaining that Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system gets confused and attacks its own tissues. Specifically, it targets and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas—the only cells in the body capable of producing insulin.

Without insulin, our cells cannot absorb glucose for energy, leading to dangerously high blood sugar levels. The complications of uncontrolled type 1 diabetes can be severe, including short-term risks like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and long-term damage leading to blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. For decades, management has meant a lifetime of intensive monitoring and insulin therapy.

A Breakthrough in Stem Cell Therapy

The most exciting part of the interview details a revolutionary study presented at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This research marks the first time scientists have successfully created fully functional, insulin-producing cells from stem cells that can effectively cure diabetes in humans.

The therapy, known as VX-880 (brand name Zymis leil), was developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The results of the clinical trial have exceeded all expectations.

• Of the 12 participants with severe, high-risk type 1 diabetes, 10 (83%) achieved insulin independence within one year.

• These were patients whose lives were at constant risk due to impaired awareness of hypoglycemia.

• Critically, the life-threatening hypoglycemic events stopped for these patients after the treatment.

"What really gets me emotional as a physician," Dr. Delibasi shared, "is that these patients stopped having hypoglycemic episodes."

The Process and the Future

In a complex, 35-day laboratory process, stem cells are guided to become mature, insulin-producing islet cells. These new cells are then delivered via a single infusion into the liver's portal vein, a procedure that takes less than an hour. The liver provides an ideal environment for the transplanted cells to thrive.

While this treatment is still in the experimental stage and requires immunosuppressant medications, its success represents a monumental leap forward. Dr. Delibasi views this as a "functional cure" because it addresses the root cause of the disease—the lack of insulin-producing cells—rather than simply managing the symptoms.

He is optimistic that this breakthrough is encouraging for all patients with type 1 diabetes and may even have future applications for certain subtypes of type 2 diabetes.

"This is a new chapter in diabetes treatment," Dr. Delibasi concludes. "The fact that we have proven it can work... changes everything. We are not where we need to be at, but we are on the path, and that path is clearer than it's ever been."

To watch the full, inspiring interview with Dr. Tuncay Delibasi, please visit the link below:

Watch the Interview: Experimental therapy can cure severe type 1 diabetes

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Patients should consult with their healthcare providers regarding treatment options.