Drug that delays onset of type 1 diabetes approved in England and Wales

From theguardian.com

Availability of teplizumab on the NHS – which postpones early stages of disease for up to three years – described as an ‘incredible moment’

The world’s first drug to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes is to be made available on the NHS in England and Wales, in the biggest breakthrough in tackling the disease for more than a century.

Millions of people have type 1 diabetes worldwide, which typically emerges during childhood or adolescence, and occurs when the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow glucose to enter cells to produce energy.

The immunotherapy, teplizumab, does not cure type 1 diabetes, but postpones its onset for as long as three years, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which gave the drug the green light on Tuesday.

Its arrival marks a huge step forward. The therapy gives those deemed at high risk of symptomatic type 1 (stage 3) diabetes the chance to delay its onset for the first time in the history of the disease.

By delaying the onset, people will benefit from years of extra time before facing the heavy demands of lifelong diabetes management. Children and teenagers in particular will have more time to reach key developmental milestones before that point.

Nice approved the drug for use in adults and children aged eight and above with early, pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes (stage 2), enabling them to live more normal lives for longer.

The only other treatment for the disease – insulin – was discovered 105 years ago and does not alter the course of the disease. It simply replaces what patients are missing.

“Today’s landmark approval of teplizumab marks the start of a new age of type 1 diabetes treatment,” said Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK. “For the first time in 100 years, we are moving beyond insulin, with a medicine that targets the root cause of the condition.

“This is an extraordinary moment for celebration in the type 1 diabetes community, and represents a shift towards a future where type 1 diabetes can be prevented altogether.”

"For the first time in 100 years, we are moving beyond insulin," the Diabetes UK charity said. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

Teplizumab, also known as tzield and made by Sanofi, will offer those in the early stages of type 1 diabetes years “free from the relentless demands” of managing the condition with insulin, as well as valuable time to prepare, Robertson said.

“Detecting type 1 diabetes early, before symptoms appear, is key to unlocking these benefits and our focus now is ensuring fair and equitable access for everyone who is eligible.”

Teplizumab trains the immune system to stop attacking pancreatic cells. It is given through a drip into a vein once a day – which takes about 30 minutes – for 14 days in a row.

The dose starts low and gradually increases. Once the 14-day course is complete, that is the end of the treatment.

Karen Addington, chief executive of the diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D, said the drug’s approval marked an “incredible moment” for the type 1 community. “For the first time, we have an immunotherapy that can delay the onset of symptomatic type 1 diabetes.

“If it were your child or someone you love, you would want to do everything possible to give them more years without the daily burden of managing this relentless condition. We now have a treatment that can help make that possible.”

Sanofi has agreed a commercial arrangement with NHS England, the Guardian understands, meaning teplizumab will be available to the NHS at a confidential discounted price.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said the decision to approve the drug was rigorous, transparent and based on the best available evidence, striking a balance between clinical benefit and value for taxpayers.

“This is a genuinely exciting recommendation. For the first time, we have a treatment that can give people diagnosed at an early stage of type 1 diabetes precious extra time before they need to manage the full demands of the condition.”

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/23/drug-that-delays-onset-of-type-1-diabetes-approved-in-england-and-wales

Is Diabetes Making People Age Faster? What the New Science Reveals

From diabetesincontrol.com

For decades, scientists have known that people with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease, kidney disease, cognitive decline, and other age-related conditions. However, emerging research suggests these complications may be linked to something even more fundamental: accelerated biological aging in diabetes. In other words, diabetes may not simply increase the risk of diseases associated with aging. It may also cause the body to age faster at the cellular level.

Today, researchers are using advanced biomarkers and epigenetic tools to understand how chronic metabolic stress affects aging. As a result, a clearer picture is emerging of the biological mechanisms that connect diabetes, inflammation, cellular damage, and age-related decline.

Biological Age and Why It Matters

Most people think of age as the number of years they have lived. This is known as chronological age. However, biological age reflects how well the body’s cells, tissues, and organs are functioning compared with that number.

Two people can both be 60 years old and still have very different biological ages. One may have the health profile of someone much younger, while the other may show signs of faster physical decline. Therefore, researchers increasingly believe that biological age may offer a clearer view of long-term health risks.

This concept has become especially important in diabetes research. Studies suggest that people with type 2 diabetes often show aging markers that exceed what would be expected based on chronological age alone. Consequently, scientists are investigating whether diabetes-related biological aging contributes directly to complications, frailty, and reduced lifespan.

Moreover, biological aging is not caused by one single factor. Instead, it reflects a complex mix of genetics, lifestyle, inflammation, metabolic health, and environmental exposures. Diabetes appears to affect many of these pathways at the same time.

How Diabetes May Accelerate Aging at the Cellular Level

Several biological mechanisms may help explain accelerated aging in people with diabetes. Chronic high blood glucose is one of the most important contributors.

When glucose levels remain elevated over time, cells experience increased oxidative stress. This process creates harmful molecules called free radicals, which can damage proteins, fats, and DNA. As a result, tissues may lose function more quickly.

Inflammation also plays a major role. People with type 2 diabetes often have persistent low-grade inflammation. Although inflammation is part of the body’s natural defence system, chronic inflammation can gradually injure healthy tissues. Researchers often call this process “inflammaging,” which describes the overlap between inflammation and aging.

Another key factor is cellular senescence. Senescent cells no longer divide normally, but they remain active in the body. Instead of helping tissues repair themselves, they release inflammatory signals that may harm nearby cells. Therefore, diabetes may encourage the build-up of these dysfunctional cells and contribute to faster tissue aging.

In addition, diabetes is linked with changes in DNA methylation. These epigenetic changes affect how genes behave without changing the genetic code itself. Over time, these shifts may influence aging pathways and increase the risk of chronic disease.

Epigenetic Clocks and New Aging Biomarkers

One of the most promising areas in aging science is the development of epigenetic clocks. These tools estimate biological age by analysing DNA methylation patterns across the genome.

One widely studied biomarker is PhenoAge, which combines clinical measures and epigenetic information to estimate biological aging. Researchers have found that people with diabetes may show higher biological age scores than people without diabetes who are the same chronological age.

Another important tool is DunedinPACE. Rather than estimating total biological age, DunedinPACE measures the pace of aging. In other words, it helps researchers see how quickly physiological decline may be happening over time.

These biomarkers offer important advantages. Instead of waiting many years to observe complications, investigators can measure aging-related changes much earlier. Consequently, scientists may be able to study whether treatments, lifestyle changes, or weight loss interventions influence biological aging before traditional outcomes appear.

Furthermore, these tools may help explain why some people with diabetes develop complications more quickly than others. Even when glucose control looks similar, differences in inflammation, metabolic stress, and epigenetic aging may affect long-term outcomes.

Can Modern Diabetes Therapies Slow Biological Aging?

Although research is still developing, there is growing interest in whether certain diabetes treatments may help slow the accelerated aging processes seen in people with diabetes.

Improved glucose control remains the foundation of diabetes care. Lowering long-term glucose exposure may reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage. Therefore, keeping glucose levels in a healthy target range remains one of the most important ways to protect long-term health.

Researchers are also studying newer therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors. These medications have shown benefits beyond glucose lowering, including cardiovascular and kidney protection. As a result, scientists are asking whether they may also influence aging pathways.

Early evidence suggests that these therapies may help reduce inflammation, improve metabolic function, and support cellular resilience. However, more research is needed before experts can say whether they directly slow biological aging.

Lifestyle changes remain equally important. Regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, weight management, quality sleep, and smoking cessation may all support healthier aging. In fact, these habits can influence inflammation, insulin sensitivity, epigenetic aging, and overall healthspan.

As aging biomarkers become more refined, future diabetes care may focus not only on glucose targets but also on protecting long-term cellular health.

Conclusion

The emerging science surrounding diabetes-related biological aging is reshaping how researchers view the disease. Rather than being only a disorder of glucose regulation, diabetes may influence aging pathways that affect nearly every organ system.

Advanced biomarkers such as PhenoAge and DunedinPACE are helping scientists understand how chronic metabolic stress may alter biological age. Meanwhile, growing evidence points to inflammation, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and epigenetic changes as key contributors to faster aging in people with diabetes.

Although many questions remain, this research offers a more complete view of diabetes and long-term health. In the future, slowing biological aging may become an important goal alongside glucose control, cardiovascular protection, and complication prevention.

FAQs

What is accelerated biological aging in diabetes?

This term refers to the observation that people with diabetes may experience cellular and molecular aging changes that occur more rapidly than expected for their chronological age.

How is biological age different from chronological age?

Chronological age measures how many years a person has lived. Biological age reflects how well the body’s cells, tissues, and organs are functioning.

What are epigenetic clocks?

Epigenetic clocks are tools that estimate biological age by measuring DNA methylation patterns across the genome.

What is DunedinPACE?

DunedinPACE is a biomarker that measures the pace of biological aging, rather than simply estimating a person’s biological age.

Can diabetes treatments slow biological aging?

Some treatments and lifestyle changes may affect aging-related pathways, including inflammation and metabolic stress. However, more research is needed to confirm whether they directly slow biological aging.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. For any health issues, always consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.

https://www.diabetesincontrol.com/accelerated-biological-aging-in-diabetes/ 

Diabetes management: Going beyond sugar control

From thestar.com.my/lifestyle

By Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar

The uncontrolled high blood sugar levels of diabetes can result in multiple complications in various other organs of the body. (This visual is human-created, AI-aided)

Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong metabolic disease that goes far beyond high blood sugar levels.

Over time, uncontrolled diabetes gradually – and silently – causes harm to multiple organs like the kidneys, heart, eyes, nerves and vascular network.

Because of this, more recent diabetes care has substantially transformed from more specific glycaemic control to a more extensive and holistic management strategy to maintain organ function and limit complications in the long term.

Chronic hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) is the mechanism behind harmful events such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gradual damage to small and large blood vessels.

The accumulation of these events eventually gives rise to serious complications such as diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy (nerve disease) and retinopathy (retinal disease).

Understanding this, therapeutic tactics in modern times target not only the rise of blood sugar, but also the events that lead to organ damage.

As result of this, there are improvements to organ protection from pharmacological progress over the last several decades.

Drugs that protect

In recent years, there have been many classes of anti-diabetic drugs known to have anti- diabetic effects far beyond the reduction of glucose levels.

SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors, including empagliflozin and canagliflozin, work via urinary glucose excretion through the kidneys.

Significantly, big clinical trials have demonstrated that these agents notably slow the development of diabetic nephropathy, reduce rates of heart failure hospitalisation, and mitigate cardiovascular death.

Their mechanisms seem to work via haemodynamics, decreased intraglomerular pressure and inflammation pathway modulation.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) receptor agonists, including liraglutide and semaglutide, act like endogenous incretin hormones that modulate glucose metabolism.

They increase glucose-dependent release of insulin, inhibit glucagon secretion and delay gastric emptying.

Not only do they promote good glycaemic control, but they are also agents that lead to effective weight loss and reduced rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.

Their anti-inflammatory and vascular benefits, as well as anti-atherosclerotic properties, further contribute to cardiovascular protection.

Despite all these advances though, metformin remains the keystone of type 2 diabetes treatment.

Through this means of improved insulin sensitivity and impaired hepatic glucose synthesis, it achieves satisfactory initial control with a predictable safety record.

Increasing new evidence also indicates that it carries modest cardiovascular and metabolic benefits; further supporting it as a fundamental medication for diabetes.

Lifestyle interventions

Though drug treatment is vital, lifestyle changes are still the basic building block for ensuring sustainable care for diabetics and the protection of their cells.

There is an emphasis on medical nutrition therapy.

Whole foods, high fibre vegetables, lean protein and low glycaemic index (GI) carbohydrates in diets promote stable glucose and enhanced metabolic responses.

Reducing processed foods, refined carbohydrates and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is an important intervention in lowering glycaemic variability and cardiometabolic risk.

Sufficient hydration is equally important, but frequently neglected.

Adequate fluid consumption promotes renal function, excretes glucose more effectively and supports metabolic homeostasis.

Dehydration can worsen hyperglycaemia and maintain a circle of osmotic diuresis and subsequent loss of fluid.

Regular physical activity promotes insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular fitness and weight loss.

Moderate volume aerobic exercise and resistance training provide great benefits, especially at moderate load.

Outside of mental health, exercise is good for mood, sleep and quality of life.

Weight optimisation is especially crucial in those with type 2 diabetes.

Visceral adiposity in particular, induces insulin resistance and elevates cardiovascular risk.

Even slight weight loss will result in a large enhancement in glycaemic control, blood pressure and lipid profiles.

Emerging therapies

The diabetes care sector is developing at an increasing pace.

Next-generation insulin treatments as a whole are expected to mimic more closely physiological insulin secretion.

This includes ultra-rapid acting compounds, once-weekly basal insulins and investigational glucose-responsive “smart” insulins intended to lower risk of hypoglycaemia, while increasing both convenience and adherence.

There is also a growing interest in targeting inflammation as a therapeutic strategy.

Low-grade chronic inflammation is a major source of insulin resistance and vascular complications.

Both known and novel agents, such as IL-1ß antagonists, are being investigated for their ability to affect diabetes progression.

In the future, gene-based therapies could potentially offer game-changing new approaches by altering the molecular determinants of diabetes.

Although still in its infancy, this field of study is indicative of a larger move towards precision medicine.

At the same time, digital health technologies are transforming patient care.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, smart insulin delivery devices and integrated digital platforms lead to more precise, personalised management.

These help patients and clinicians make real-time adjustments to therapy and also enhance outcomes by generating their data in real time.

Protecting the whole

Diabetes management has entered a new era.

No longer is the focus only on glycaemic control, it encompasses wide-ranging organ protection and the preservation of long-term health.

To ensure effective care, a comprehensive plan now needs to integrate pharmacotherapy, lifestyle programmes and advanced new technology.

Through recognising the multifactorial characteristics associated with the disease (metabolic, inflammatory, vascular etc), doctors can further mitigate the complications.

With early intervention, ongoing follow-up and involvement, people living with diabetes are able to achieve improved outcomes and quality of life.

At the end of the day, the objective of this process is no longer to manage the blood sugar, but to protect the whole body.

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/womens-world/2026/06/01/diabetes-management-going-beyond-sugar-control#goog_rewarded

Early statin therapy reduces heart attack and stroke risk in diabetes patients

From news-medical.net 

Taking a statin medication is an effective, safe, and low-cost way to lower cholesterol and reduce risk of cardiovascular events. Despite clinicians recommending that many patients with diabetes take statins, nearly one-fifth of them opt to delay treatment. In a new study, researchers from Mass General Brigham found that patients who started statin therapy right away reduced the rate of heart attack and stroke by one third compared to those who chose to delay taking the medication. The results, which can help guide decision-making conversations between clinicians and their patients, are published in the Journal of the American Heart Association

I see patients with diabetes on a regular basis, and I recommend statin therapy to everyone who is eligible. Some people refuse because they want to first try lifestyle interventions or other drugs. But other interventions are not as effective at lowering cholesterol as starting statin therapy as soon as possible. Time is of the essence for your heart and brain health."

Alexander Turchin, MD, MS, senior author of the Division of Endocrinology, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Heart attacks and strokes remain the leading cause of complications and mortality for patients with diabetes. Statin therapy reduces risk of these cardiovascular events by preventing plaque build-up in the blood vessels, which, once accumulated, prevents delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the heart and brain.

The researchers used an artificial intelligence method called Natural Language Processing to gather data from the electronic health records of 7,239 patients at Mass General Brigham who ultimately started statin therapy during the nearly 20-year study period. The median patient age was 55, with 51% being women, 57% white, and the median HbA1c-a measure of blood sugar-being 6.9.

Nearly one-fifth (17.7%) of the patients in the study declined statin therapy when it was first recommended by their clinicians, then later accepted the therapy (after a median of 1.5 years) upon repeated recommendation by their clinician. Of those who delayed, 8.5% had a heart attack or stroke. But for patients who started statins immediately, the rate of those cardiovascular events was just 6.4%.

"Clinicians should recognize the increased cardiovascular risk associated with delaying statin therapy for patients with diabetes and use this information to guide shared decision-making conversations with their patients," said Turchin.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250527/Early-statin-therapy-reduces-heart-attack-and-stroke-risk-in-diabetes-patients.aspx

Understanding the Potential of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Type 2

From healthline.com/health

Stem cell therapy is an emerging treatment for type 2 diabetes. Although it’s not yet FDA-approved in the United States, it is a rapidly expanding and promising field of research.

Stem cells are special human cells that can become many different types of cells. Because of this special property, doctors are investigating the potential of stem cell therapy to treat many conditions.

People with type 2 diabetes don’t make an adequate amount of insulin to manage their blood sugar. Stem cell therapy may potentially allow people with type 2 diabetes to start producing more insulin again and reduce the need for medications.

The effectiveness and safety of stem cell therapy for treating diabetes are still under investigation, but some early studies have found promising results. 

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy involves taking stem cells from your body or another human’s to help regenerate damaged tissues.

Stem cells can be collected from foetal and adult tissues, such as:

• fat tissue
• umbilical cord
• bone marrow
• placenta

How is stem cell therapy being used to treat type 2 diabetes?

The diabetes epidemic remains one of the biggest health crises in the United States. Roughly 1 in 10Trusted Source people in the United States has diabetes, with the majority having type 2.

Researchers continue looking for new treatment options, and stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising option. Its use in humans is still being investigated, and more research is needed to assess its long-term effectiveness and safety accurately.

According to the authors of a 2025 letter to the editor, their team identified 143 diabetes stem cell therapy clinical trials worldwide from 2000 to 2024. Of these, 19 trials were ongoing.

Research on type 2 diabetes

Most research to date has examined stem cell therapy as a treatment for type 1 diabetes.

In 2008, a team of researchers recruited a small group of 25 people with type 2 diabetes for a phase 1 clinical trial examining the effectiveness of stem cell therapy combined with hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The researchers found that all measured markers, such as fasting glucose levels and insulin requirement, improved at a one-year follow-up.

Since then, more studiesTrusted Source have continued to find evidence that stem cell therapy may potentially improve blood sugar management and reduce the need for diabetes medications.

Further ongoing trials have also shown that stem cell therapy may help improve diabetic complications such as:

• diabetic foot ulcers
• erectile dysfunction
• diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Modern research

In 2024Trusted Source, researchers reported a ground-breaking case of a 25-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes who started producing insulin within three months of receiving a stem cell transplant, effectively reversing her diabetes.

The results of current trials for type 2 diabetes look promising. Future research will focus on analysing long-term results and safety in larger groups.

Many clinical trials are currently underway. For instance, one clinical trial that’s currently recruiting is examining the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for treating type 2 diabetes that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

A phase II clinical trial that isn’t yet in the recruiting phase is examining the effectiveness and safety of a type of stem cell therapy that involves taking cells from your own body.

How does stem cell therapy compare to traditional treatments for type 2 diabetes?

Treatment for type 2 diabetes typically consists of making lifestyle changes and sometimes taking medications. Commonly prescribed medications include:

• metformin
• sulfonylureas
• glinides
• GLP-1 receptor agonists
• DPP-4 inhibitors
• Thiazolidnediones

These medications help improve your blood sugar management, but they need to be taken continuously to be effective. Stem cell therapy is an attractive alternative since it can potentially be curative after one treatment.

Who is a good candidate for stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes?

Stem cell therapy is still an experimental treatment. Researchers are continuing to see who might make a good candidate. For now, researchers may offer it as an experimental treatment for people who haven’t responded to other treatments.

What are the risks of having stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes?

Researchers are continuing to examine the safety of stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes. Some concern is that it could encourage tumour formation.Trusted Source

Side effects reported in clinical trials included:

• fever
• bruising
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• hypoglycaemia

What is the success rate for stem cell therapy as a treatment for type 2 diabetes?

Improvements in blood sugar management have been reported in as little as weeks. For example, in a 2024 case study, researchers observed improvements in a 59-year-old man with severe diabetes complications within 2 weeks.

Studies consistently showTrusted Source improvements in blood sugar management, but larger studies are needed to understand the actual success rate.

Where can you have stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes?

Stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes is still under investigation. In the United States, thousands of clinicsTrusted Source have appeared offering unlicensed and unproven stem cell therapies.

The FDA hasn’t yet approved stem cell therapies for diabetes.

What does cell therapy for type 2 diabetes cost?

Stem cell therapy isn’t yet available for treating type II diabetes in the United States. Because it’s not approved for use, it’s also not covered by insurance.

To get a rough idea of the cost, in one study, researchers estimated that the average price of stem cell therapy for diabetes might range from $5,000 to $50,000.

What’s the outlook for people who have stem cell therapy for type 2 diabetes?

Little research examines the long-term effectiveness of stem cell therapy for diabetes. Most current studies have had follow-ups shorter than 1-2 years. Although it shows a lot of promise, more research is needed to judge long-term results accurately.

Can you still have traditional treatment during or after stem cell therapy?

Some people seem to reduce their need for medications or can stop taking medications altogether after stem cell therapy.

Takeaway

Stem cell therapy is being investigated as a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes. In theory, it may allow the body to produce more insulin to better regulate blood sugar levels.

Stem cell therapy isn’t yet FDA-approved in the United States for treating diabetes, but researchers continue examining its safety and effectiveness. The field of stem cell therapy is expanding rapidly, so it’s likely that many more studies will be completed in the next few years.

https://www.healthline.com/health/stem-cell-for-diabetes-type-2#stem-cell-therapy