University of Alberta researchers believe they have found a cure for diabetes.
The research team, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Canada, is led by Dr. James Shapiro, who is known for developing the Edmonton Protocol, which “involves transplanting islet cells from a donated pancreas into the recipient’s liver,” says the research page.
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According to CTV News, the team has now invented a new stem cell process that could be safer and more effective.
In an interview with U of A’s Folio, Dr. Shapiro suggests that this is because those who receive treatment may no longer need lifelong medication with severe side effects. *
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If we are successful enough, it will come as close to curing diabetes as I think we will ever see.
Dr. James Shapiro, DRIFCan
The researcher told CTV that they make insulin-producing cells from the blood of patients with diabetes.
So far, this process has helped diabetic mice to the point where “essentially their diabetes is cured,” he said.
Dr. Shapiro added that this new process ensures that patients don’t reject the cells because they come from their own blood.
Now they have to move on to human testing to show the world that this new method is indeed safe.
The team’s website states that this “could bring the world much closer to a real cure for diabetes,” and that they are looking for people with diabetes to participate in human trials.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated.
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