ADJUNCT THERAPIES IN TYPE 1 DIABETES: A REVIEW OF MECHANISMS, MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY OF NEW FORMS OF TREATMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5503Keywords:
Type 1 Diabetes, Adjunct Therapies, Insulin-Producing Pancreatic β-cells, Pharmacotherapy, Immune-Based Therapies, Stem Cell Transplant, Safety ConsiderationsAbstract
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disorder that could be defined as the immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells. The outcome of this process is complete insulin deficiency and permanent dependence on exogenous insulin therapy. Despite the innovative methods of insulin delivery systems, constant improvements in insulin formulations, and the introduction of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), the management of blood glucose levels and keeping them within the recommended range prove to be difficult for patients, who additionally face the risk of hypoglycemic episodes and long-term complications associated with type 1 diabetes. The purpose of this review is to examine current and new emerging additional therapies used in the management of type 1 diabetes, with particular focus on adjunct non-insulin treatments, their mechanisms, effectiveness and safety profiles. This review was written using databases such as PubMed with direct attention to new forms of treatment in type 1 diabetes: pharmacological and immune-focused. The adjunct pharmacological therapies which include amylin analogue, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT inhibitors and metformin have shown to be potentially beneficial for patients with type 1 diabetes, improving glycemic control, reducing insulin dose needs while facilitating weight loss. On the other hand, the immune-based therapies and therapies utilizing stem cells aim to restore the function of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells or preserve it for as long as possible, slowing down the progression of the disease. However, the introduction of new therapies remains a concern, especially the risk of hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Ultimately, the new emerging therapies used in addition to insulin therapy have proven to be beneficial for the patients, but further research is needed in order to evaluate their effectiveness and ensure safety.
Methodology: The review was written based on scientific papers and articles available on PubMed and Google Scholar.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Magda Downar-Zapolska, Agnieszka Mikłaszewicz, Aleksandra Irena Skuza, Emilia Torbacka, Katarzyna Helena Sergiel, Daniel Sagan, Dominik Fidorowicz, Marta Góral, Rafał Siedlecki, Katarzyna Bednarczuk
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