Promises, Promises

In the early 1970s, we were told that islet cell transplantation was about to become a reality and that diabetes would be cured. In 1980, I remember being told that islet cell transplantation would be performed routinely and safely in human type 1 diabetes by 1985. Needless to say, those promises led to much disappointment, despite the fact that there is now great reason for optimism in this area.1

There have been other promises unfulfilled through the years. Non-invasive glucose sensors, closed-loop insulin pumps, and safe and effective antiobesity drugs remain unattained goals. Likewise, drugs to specifically treat diabetes-related complications have not been successful. Both the aldose reductase inhibitors and advanced glycosylation end product inhibitors have failed to retard complications as initially hoped.

One key problem well appreciated today is that results of studies employing animal models do not necessarily translate to human diabetes. As the late Julio Santiago, a well-known researcher and teacher, once said, “You can almost look at a rat and prevent islet cell rejection.” Would that the same …