Cell Therapies and Gene Therapy for Diabetes: Current Progress
Leila Ghassemifard1,2, Masumeh Hasanlu3, Negin Parsamanesh4,5
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Abstract:
The epidemic of diabetes continues to be an increasing problem, and there is a need for new therapeutic strategies. There are several promising drugs and molecules in synthetic medicinal chemistry that are developing for diabetes. In addition to this approach, extensive studies with gene and cell therapies are being conducted. Gene therapy is an existing approach in treating several diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart disease and diabetes. Several reports have also suggested that stem cells have the differentiation capability to functional pancreatic beta cell development in vitro and in vivo, with the utility to treat diabetes and prevent the progression of diabetes-related complications. In this current review, we have focused on the different types of cell therapies and vector-based gene therapy in treating or preventing diabetes.
Insights
New diabetes treatments are emerging, including synthetic drugs and advanced gene and cell therapies. Stem cell research shows promise for developing functional beta cells to treat diabetes and its complications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Therapeutic strategies
Background:
- Diabetes epidemic requires novel therapeutic strategies.
- Synthetic medicinal chemistry offers promising drug candidates.
- Gene and cell therapies are under extensive investigation for diabetes treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current cell therapies for diabetes.
- To discuss vector-based gene therapy for diabetes prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cell and gene therapies for diabetes.
- Analysis of stem cell differentiation into pancreatic beta cells.
- Examination of vector-based gene therapy approaches.
Main Results:
- Gene therapy is an established treatment for various diseases, including diabetes.
- Stem cells demonstrate potential for in vitro and in vivo functional beta cell development.
- Cell therapies and gene therapies offer viable strategies for managing diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Cell and gene therapies represent significant advancements in diabetes treatment.
- These approaches hold potential for treating diabetes and mitigating complications.
- Further research into these therapies is crucial for combating the diabetes epidemic.
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