Cure & Advancements/August 12, 2026/2 min read

New Study Compares Automated Insulin Pumps and Islet Transplants for Severe Type 1 Diabetes

Researchers are launching a multi-center trial to determine whether advanced insulin delivery systems can help people with extreme blood sugar swings avoid transplant surgery. The STABILOOP study will track outcomes over four years.

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Key takeaways

A small group of people with Type 1 diabetes experience severe, unpredictable low blood sugars and extreme glucose swings that significantly impact daily life and health.
Islet transplantation can stabilize blood sugar and prevent dangerous lows, but requires surgery and lifelong immunosuppressant medications.
Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have become standard care for many people with Type 1 diabetes, but their effectiveness for people with the most unstable blood sugars is not well understood.
STABILOOP will follow patients at six specialized centers to see whether AID systems can adequately control blood sugar for people who might otherwise need transplants.
Patients in the study can choose their treatment path—some will start AID first, others will proceed directly to transplant evaluation.

Who This Research Is For

Most people with Type 1 diabetes manage their blood sugar with insulin and glucose monitoring. But a smaller subset face a much harder challenge: extreme glucose variability and frequent, unpredictable severe low blood sugar episodes. These episodes can be life-threatening and deeply affect work, family life, and mental health. Current care options for these individuals are limited, and the medical costs are substantial.

Two Treatment Paths Being Compared

Islet transplantation has proven effective at stabilizing blood sugar and preventing severe lows in people with the most unstable Type 1 diabetes. However, transplant surgery carries procedural risks, and recipients must take immunosuppressant medications for life to prevent organ rejection.

Automated insulin delivery systems represent a newer standard of care for Type 1 diabetes overall. These systems use continuous glucose monitors and automated pumps to adjust insulin delivery throughout the day and night. They have shown significant improvements in blood sugar control for many patients, but whether they work well enough for people with the most severe glucose instability remains unclear.

What the STABILOOP Study Will Do

STABILOOP is a prospective, multicenter cohort study involving six clinical centers experienced in both islet transplantation and automated insulin delivery systems. Researchers will enroll people referred for management of unstable Type 1 diabetes and follow them for up to four years.

Patients can choose their own treatment pathway. Some will opt for immediate islet transplant evaluation. Others will try automated insulin delivery first, with the option to pursue transplant later if needed. A third group may find that AID is not adequately controlling their blood sugar.

The study will collect clinical data, glucose control measurements, and quality of life assessments throughout the follow-up period to determine which patients benefit most from each approach.

Why This Matters

For people living with severe, unpredictable blood sugar swings, this research could help clarify whether advances in automated insulin delivery technology offer a less invasive alternative to transplant. The results may also help doctors and patients make more informed decisions about which treatment is most suitable for their individual circumstances.

Evidence label

Source: Trials. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

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