Two Paths Forward: Researchers Debate Diabetes-Modifying Therapies vs. Islet Cell Transplants

At the inaugural Breakthrough T1D Clinical & Research Congress (CRC 2026) in Philadelphia, two leading researchers engaged in a substantive discussion about the future of Type 1 diabetes treatment. Peter Senior, MBBS, Ph.D., from the University of Alberta, and Colin Dayan, MBBS, Ph.D., from the University of Birmingham, explored the case for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) versus islet cell therapies—examining safety, cost, monitoring requirements, long-term outcomes, and how each approach might be delivered to patients worldwide.

Disease-modifying therapies represent an emerging class of treatments designed to slow or halt the autoimmune attack on insulin-producing cells. One significant potential advantage of DMTs is their accessibility. These treatments may eventually be administered as a single intervention—what researchers call a 'one-and-done' approach—making them potentially more affordable and easier to deliver globally than alternatives requiring ongoing intervention or complex procedures.

Islet cell therapies—which involve transplanting insulin-producing cells into people with Type 1 diabetes—have demonstrated effectiveness in the short term. However, Dr. Dayan raised important questions about their long-term viability at a population level. Key concerns include whether islet cell therapies can be scaled to reach large numbers of patients, whether they can be delivered affordably, and whether the approach can work in diverse healthcare settings around the world.

Rather than declaring one approach superior, the experts emphasized that each therapeutic pathway has genuine tradeoffs. Both disease-modifying therapies and islet cell therapies warrant continued research, refinement, and clinical testing. This discussion underscores an important principle in diabetes research: progress may come through multiple simultaneous approaches, each addressing different patient needs and circumstances. The Breakthrough T1D Clinical & Research Congress is designed precisely to foster this kind of collaborative dialogue, bringing together clinicians, researchers, scientists, and the diabetes community to accelerate innovation.

The success of CRC 2026 reflects growing momentum in Type 1 diabetes research and clinical care. Organizers have announced that CRC 2027 will take place October 15–17 in Washington, D.C., signaling that this inaugural meeting will become an annual forum for the diabetes community to share discoveries, discuss emerging therapies, and work toward a world without Type 1 diabetes.

Origin: breakthrought1d.org (News report). Evidence: News report — unverified, pending corroboration. 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.