2021.9 PTS News: Diabetes May Be Curable - Academia Sinica Finds Reversal Key, Clinical Trials to Begin Early Next Year

[translated from Chinese] 

薛宜家 林志堅 / Taipei Report ; Published：2021-09-23 12:56 Updated : 2021-09-23 14:43

An Academia Sinica team has developed an inhibitor capable of regulating pancreatic beta-cells, which can treat or reverse early-stage diabetes. Clinical trials are expected to commence at National Taiwan University Hospital early next year.

For diabetic patients whose condition deteriorates to insufficient insulin secretion, the requirement for lifelong insulin injection is irreversible. However, a drug that can cure the disease may soon be available. Dr. Wen-Ching Yang's research team at Academia Sinica began studying diabetes in 2009, focusing on the protein molecule Pdia4 as the crucial factor controlling pancreatic beta-cells. The team discovered that the artificially synthesized Pdia4 inhibitor, PS1, can suppress beta-cell failure, offering the potential to reverse diabetes.

Dr. Wen-Ching Yang, Academia Sinica Research Fellow, stated: "The number and function of beta-cells are already decreasing in the pre-onset stage of the disease. In this scenario, if we can prevent the decline in beta-cell function and count, we can achieve the effect of reversing diabetes."

Dr. Yang explained that diabetes is generally caused by excessive intake of food sugars and fatty acids, which increases Pdia4 activity in beta-cells, leading to beta-cell failure. The team confirmed in mouse trials that the artificially synthesized PS1 can inhibit Pdia4 activity in beta-cells. As a future targeted drug, it has the potential to treat and reverse diabetes in patients who are still in the early-to-mid stages.

Dr. Yang further explained: "It can reduce the failure of beta-cells in the early or mid-stages. The great advantage of this is that you won't need insulin injections later, and there is a possibility that your complications will not even arise."

This targeted drug is scheduled to begin Phase I clinical trials at National Taiwan University Hospital early next year. If subsequent experiments are successful, it will be the world's first targeted drug for diabetes, with a chance of launch in seven years.