In a groundbreaking development for type 1 diabetes treatment, Sana Biotechnology has announced promising results from its innovative cell transplantation treatment. With an intramuscular transplant of pancreatic islet cells, this new treatment can create sustained insulin production for type 1 diabetics. Unlike traditional transplant protocols, where patients typically require lifelong immune-suppressing drugs, Sana’s breakthrough new treatment does not require immunosuppression medication.
For the 2 million Americans with type 1 diabetes, including over 300,000 children and teenagers, potentially eliminating the need for lifelong medication and treatment is exciting news.
Promising clinical data for type 1 diabetes cure
The clinical data from Sana’s first-in-human study provides encouraging results that its proprietary hypoimmune (HIP) technology could provide an actual cure for type 1 diabetes. The evidence demonstrates that patients could achieve normal blood glucose levels without insulin or immunosuppression. The study also showed no safety issues.
Specifically, the transplanted cells were able to effectively “hide” from the patient’s immune system. The initial results show:
- Sustained insulin production from transplanted cells, as demonstrated by consistent levels of circulating c-peptides and increased c-peptide levels
- Successful immune system evasion
- Normal insulin response to meal tests
- Visible evidence of cell survival through MRI imaging
This technology has the potential to fundamentally transform type 1 diabetes management treatment. With an actual cure on the horizon, long-term healthcare costs for type 1 diabetes could be significantly reduced while improving patient quality of life with normalized glucose control.
How remote patient monitoring can accelerate the adoption of new treatments
New treatments always bring concerns for providers and patients as the potential impact and side effects of the treatment have unknown elements. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) can ensure the effectiveness of the treatment while bringing a sense of security to both providers and patients.
By having a clinician monitor daily A1C readings, patients can understand the impact of the treatment of the transplanted cells on their A1C. The ongoing communication and coaching that RPM provides, can also ensure patients are developing long-term healthy habits as they transition off insulin or other medications.
While this breakthrough may eventually reduce the need for intensive glucose monitoring in successfully treated patients, the transition period presents a unique need for RPM that can fuel long-term adoption of the treatment.
Post-transplant monitoring can track cell therapy effectiveness while developing early warning systems for potential therapy-related complications. This data is not only valuable for providers and patients but also for Sana and the biotechnology companies that are continuing to advance the treatment protocols.
How should providers prepare for this innovation?
This breakthrough represents a pivotal moment in diabetes care innovation. Healthcare organizations should closely monitor the continued development of this technology. The potential to offer curative treatments without immunosuppression could revolutionize diabetes care as well as cell therapy and transplantation medicine.
Those providers looking to be at the forefront of these treatment protocols should ensure they have RPM systems in place for diabetic patients today. An established RPM program where type 1 diabetic patients already have a trusted relationship with a remote clinician will ease the acceptance of new cell therapies.
Curative treatments have exciting potential but do not replace the need for robust monitoring capabilities, particularly in the short term during and immediately after treatment.
Need help establishing your RPM program?
One of the greatest benefits of RPM is providing continuous versus episodic care to patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions. This requires clinicians to provide remote care, but CMS enables this care to be outsourced. Implementing or growing an RPM program with high levels of engagement and compliance for your patients with diabetes is easier than you may think, even if you are short on staff.
RPM can increase your total practice reimbursement while expanding your clinical capacity by using a full-service RPM solution that includes clinical monitoring. Contact us to learn more.