A New Clinical Trial Is Testing Whether a Type 2 Diabetes Drug Could Help People With Type 1 Using Insulin Pumps

Drs. Ahmad Haidar and Melissa-Rosina Pasqua at McGill University are leading a new clinical trial funded by Breakthrough T1D. The study is testing whether tirzepatide, a medication currently used to treat type 2 diabetes, could help improve glucose management for people with Type 1 diabetes who use automated insulin delivery systems.

Tirzepatide is a type of medication called a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA). In Canada, it's sold as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and as Zepbound for weight management. However, it is not currently approved for use in Type 1 diabetes.

Automated insulin delivery systems, also called hybrid closed-loop systems, combine an insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). These devices are connected by an algorithm that automatically adjusts how much insulin is delivered based on real-time blood glucose readings.

Despite being called 'automated,' most current systems still require users to manually count carbohydrates in their meals and deliver an insulin bolus (a dose of insulin) before eating. This manual step remains one of the most burdensome and time-consuming parts of living with Type 1 diabetes. The McGill study is investigating whether tirzepatide could help reduce this burden.

Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it helps the body respond better to a hormone called GLP-1 that's released after eating. This hormone helps manage blood glucose levels and can slow how quickly food moves through the stomach, which may reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness.

In people with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide works partly by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. However, people with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce their own insulin, so the medication would work differently in this population. The McGill trial will help researchers understand whether tirzepatide can still offer benefits when used alongside automated insulin delivery systems and injected insulin therapy.

This is an early-stage investigation, and the trial is still underway. The study will examine whether tirzepatide can meaningfully improve glucose management and reduce the need for manual insulin dosing in people with Type 1 diabetes using automated systems.

As with all clinical research, results will need to be carefully evaluated before any medication could be considered for broader use in the Type 1 diabetes community. Interested individuals can learn more about participating in diabetes research through their healthcare provider or by visiting clinical trial registries.

Origin: breakthrought1d.ca (News report). Evidence: News report, corroborated with 5 indexed studies. 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.