Spain is the second country in Europe with the highest prevalence of diabetes. As for type 2, the estimate of the Spanish Diabetes Federation (FEDE) talks about reaching the nine million cases in 2025. Insulin is the inevitable daily companion of patients, a circumstance that could change in the future thanks to discovery of a new therapy, recently announced by the European Society of Gastroenterology.
The new study, conducted by Celine Busch, from the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University Medical Center of Amsterdam, could represent a real turning point. turning point for the patient community and for the scientist. After the first experiment on humans, Busch assures that the promising results suggest so “the need for insulin therapy can be effectively eliminated.”
From a scientific point of view it was discovered “recellularization” through electroporation therapy (ReCET), an endoscopic treatment that acts on cell membranes, combined with an active ingredient, semaglutide, shows tremendous positive changes in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Improves sensitivity to endogenous insulin
This discovery is particularly encouraging for the scientist: “Treatment modifies the disease: improves the patient’s sensitivity to their own (endogenous) insulin, addressing the root of the disease, unlike the pharmacological therapies currently availablethat at best control the disease,” he explains. This could mean even reverse this pathologyso widespread today.
In the study, the first of its kind carried out on humans, participated 14 patients with type 2 diabetesaged between 28 and 75 years. After being treated with ReCET and receiving semaglutide, they were monitored for one year to observe the development of the disease. The result was surprising: Of the 14, 12 no longer needed insulin therapy at the end of six months, and none of them had any adverse reactions to the treatment.
More than 400 million people affected
As the scientific team itself admits, this is so a very small sample of patients, but given the good results they hope to be able to do so expand your search to a larger group. The therapeutic improvement of a disease that may be at play It affects more than 400 million people worldwide.whose lives could improve significantly.
We must not forget, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO)diabetes is too important cause of serious pathologies such as blindness, renal failure, myocardial infarction, stroke and lower limb amputation. Along with adequate disease control a healthy diet and regular exercisefactors that prevent and delay its appearance.
References
United European Gastroenterology (2024, 14 October). A new procedure combined with semaglutide can eliminate insulin dependence in type 2 diabetes. https://ueg.eu/a/360
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How does the new diabetes treatment approach introduced by Celine Busch differ from traditional insulin therapies?
Time.news Interview: Exploring the Future of Diabetes Treatment with Celine Busch
Editor: Welcome, Celine. Thank you for joining us today. As an expert in gastroenterology and a key figure in the recent groundbreaking study on diabetes treatment, your insights are invaluable. To start, can you tell us about the context of diabetes in Spain, and why this research is particularly relevant?
Celine Busch: Thank you for having me! Spain has alarming statistics when it comes to diabetes, especially type 2, with projections reaching nine million cases by 2025. This reality underscores the urgency for innovative treatments. Our study attempts to pave a new path in how we approach this widespread condition, moving beyond traditional insulin therapy.
Editor: It’s indeed a concerning statistic. Your study introduces “recellularization through electroporation therapy” or ReCET combined with semaglutide. Could you explain what ReCET entails and how it differs from conventional treatments?
Celine Busch: Certainly! ReCET is an endoscopic procedure that utilizes electroporation to alter cell membranes, allowing them to “recellularize.” This method, combined with semaglutide, fundamentally enhances the patient’s sensitivity to their own insulin, unlike existing pharmacological therapies that primarily manage symptoms without addressing the disease’s root causes. Essentially, our approach aims to modify the disease rather than just control it.
Editor: That sounds revolutionary! In your study, you monitored 14 patients with type 2 diabetes over a year. What were the results, and what do they suggest about the viability of this treatment?
Celine Busch: We observed extraordinary results. Out of the 14 patients, 12 no longer required insulin therapy after the treatment. This level of improvement indicates not only that we are effectively modifying the disease but also that there’s a potential for reversal—an exciting prospect for long-term diabetes management.
Editor: What does this mean for the future of diabetes care, particularly for the millions of patients who depend on insulin every day?
Celine Busch: This could mark a significant turning point. If this therapy progresses through clinical trials successfully, it has the potential to transform diabetes care by reducing dependency on insulin. For patients, it offers hope for a more manageable lifestyle and, ultimately, the possibility of reversing the disease rather than merely living with it.
Editor: Given that so many are affected by diabetes, how should the medical community and policymakers respond to this emerging treatment?
Celine Busch: Education is key. We need to inform healthcare providers about these advancements so they can consider new treatment options for their patients. Policymakers should also facilitate access to emerging therapies and support more research in diabetes treatment innovation, as the need is greater than ever.
Editor: Lastly, what are the next steps for you and your team following this promising study?
Celine Busch: Moving forward, we are focused on expanding our research with larger clinical trials to validate our initial findings. Our goal is to assess long-term outcomes and further refine the therapy. The dream is to make ReCET a standard treatment option for type 2 diabetes and ultimately improve the lives of millions.
Editor: Thank you, Celine, for shedding light on this exciting development in diabetes treatment. Your work is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing how this progresses.
Celine Busch: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure to discuss this important topic.