Last Updated on April 24, 2024
City of Hope is known for their stride in Cancer research but has also put a lot of work towards helping people with diabetes. In fact, the synthetic insulin used today by millions of people living with diabetes was developed by one of the researchers at City of Hope in 1978, Arthur D. Riggs. Now, they are taking on an ambitious goal to find a cure for people with Type I Diabetes through immunotherapy and beta cell transplantation.
They took this idea and ran with it after a generous donation of 50 million dollars from the Wanek family of Ashley Furniture along with anonymous donors. City of Hope has done extensive research to get an understanding of how complex diabetes truly is and what causes it to occur. With this donation, along with others, City of Hope will be able to continue their research and hopefully reach the goal of having a cure within six years. The goal of six years may seem out of reach since it is extremely ambitious, however, City of Hope already has 40 years of diabetes research under its belt. So, if someone is going to take on the challenge that brings a cure to millions worldwide, they are one of the best equip and ready to do so.
Type I Diabetes is when the immune system has attacked the insulin producing cells (beta cells) instead of fighting off infections. It is unknown why the system in people with diabetes has gone off course. When that is discovered, it could lead to a plan of action against diabetes and a plan to cure it.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy and Beta Cell Transplants are some options that will be tested. Immunotherapy is a process that takes substances and cells made by the body or in a laboratory to help the immune system function in the way that it should. The immune system needs to be in full force to help fight infections and stay away from the insulin producing beta cells.
Beta Cell Transplants
Beta Cell Transplants are another option that will go hand in hand with immunotherapy. This would be a transplant of beta cells. In a person with Type I Diabetes, their beta cells no longer produce insulin. A cell transplant is a bit trickier since they are extremely delicate and little has been done with this process as of now, but with time, hopefully this can be a proven treatment to cure diabetes.
There is hope and there are ideas and now with this goal of curing Diabetes, that hope is restored and the diabetic community is getting closer day by day to find a lasting cure. City of Hope has graciously taken on this challenge with such generous donations and years of experience.
Here is to being one step closer.
