Emerging Therapies and Technologies Changing Diabetes Care

By Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D.Reviewed by Lauren Hardaker

Diabetes: Types, Prevalence and Complications
Rapid Changes in Diabetes Treatments and Patient Outcomes
Medical and Technological Advances Reshaping Diabetes Management
GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin therapies:
Continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery:
Disease-modifying type 1 diabetes treatments:
Stem-cell-derived islet therapies:
AI in diabetes management:
Could Diabetes Become Easier to Treat, or Prevent?
References and Further Reading

Advances in incretin-based therapies, glucose monitoring, immunotherapy, stem cell research, and artificial intelligence are transforming diabetes care. These innovations offer new opportunities to improve clinical outcomes, delay disease progression, and personalize treatment while addressing global healthcare disparities.

Image credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com

Diabetes mellitus remains one of the most significant global health challenges in the 21st century, affecting approximately 830 million people worldwide in 2022. To date, more than 40% of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, limiting their access to essential care and support. Early symptom recognition is crucial for timely intervention, and the World Health Organization aims to diagnose 80% of people with diabetes by 2030.^1,3

As both type 1 and type 2 diabetes become increasingly prevalent, innovative strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management are urgently needed. Recent advances in medications, technology, and public health are reshaping diabetes care and providing new optimism for the future.

Diabetes: Types, Prevalence and Complications

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders marked by chronically high blood sugar due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune disease, is associated with genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the destruction of insulin-producing β-cells and affects about 9.5 million people, mainly in high-income countries. In contrast, more than 95% of diabetes cases are type 2, primarily caused by insulin resistance and a progressive decline in insulin secretion.^2,3,4

Despite different origins, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can share features of insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction that impair cellular metabolism. In type 2 diabetes, persistent insulin resistance contributes to β-cell failure, while people with type 1 diabetes may also develop insulin resistance as the disease progresses. High blood sugar, abnormal lipid profiles, and chronic inflammation, especially in obesity, worsen β-cell stress and insulin resistance through oxidative and inflammatory pathways.⁴

Insulin resistance impacts the liver, muscles, and fat tissue. Both types of diabetes are linked to a wide range of cardiometabolic complications, such as endothelial dysfunction, kidney disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, inflammation, oxidative stress, coagulation abnormalities, mitochondrial and cardiac dysfunction, anabolic resistance, metabolic inflexibility, and changes in the gut microbiota.^3,4

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Rapid Changes in Diabetes Treatments and Patient Outcomes

For centuries, diabetes management was limited to restrictive diets and herbal remedies, often with little success. The discovery of insulin in 1921 dramatically changed the outlook for people with type 1 diabetes, transforming a once-fatal disease into one that could be managed over the long term.⁵

The introduction of oral glucose-lowering drugs, most notably metformin, which remains a widely used foundational treatment for type 2 diabetes, marked a major advance. In subsequent decades, the development of new classes of medicines, such as sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, expanded treatment options and improved glycemic control, with certain classes also providing cardiovascular and kidney benefits.⁶

Clinicians tailor therapy to balance efficacy, safety, and patient preference while considering comorbidities and risk factors. Alongside medications, foundational lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, and smoking cessation, remain central to care. Treatment goals now extend beyond glycemic control to include cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic protection, as well as improved quality of life.

Recent advances, such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, telemedicine, and precision medicine, further enhance diabetes management by supporting precise glucose monitoring, flexible insulin delivery, and real-time care.

Video credit: IntDiabetesFed/Youtube.com

Medical and Technological Advances Reshaping Diabetes Management

Diabetes care is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by innovative therapies and technologies that are reshaping clinical outcomes and the patient experience. The most impactful new treatments and tools reshaping diabetes management are discussed below.

GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin therapies:

GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, have transformed type 2 diabetes management by improving glycemic control and promoting significant weight loss, a crucial advantage given the strong association between obesity and diabetes progression. Large clinical trials have shown that semaglutide produces substantial reductions in HbA1c and body weight, with demonstrated cardiovascular benefits.^6,7

Building on this progress, dual incretin therapies like tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, represent a major advance.⁷ Tirzepatide has outperformed many existing therapies in head-to-head trials, achieving greater reductions in blood glucose and weight.

Recent cardiovascular outcomes studies indicate that tirzepatide improves cardiovascular risk factors and reduces the combined risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure in patients with obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. As a result, dual incretin therapies have quickly become an important treatment option in type 2 diabetes care, particularly for patients at elevated cardiometabolic risk.⁷

Continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery:

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has enabled people with diabetes to track interstitial glucose levels in real time and make better-informed treatment decisions, improving glycemic control. Modern CGM systems are less invasive, more accurate, and integrate seamlessly with smartphones and other devices.⁸

When combined with insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, these technologies automatically adjust insulin dosing based on real-time data, helping to reduce the cognitive and emotional burden of diabetes management and the risk of both hypo- and hyperglycemia. Reflecting these advances, the 2026 ADA Standards of Care recommend earlier and broader access to diabetes technology, aiming to extend these benefits to more patients, including children and those newly diagnosed.⁸

Disease-modifying type 1 diabetes treatments:

A landmark advance in type 1 diabetes is the approval of teplizumab, the first therapy shown to delay the onset of clinical (stage 3) disease in at-risk individuals. Initially indicated to slow progression from stage 2 to stage 3, teplizumab has since received expanded FDA approval. As of 2026, it is also approved for children and adolescents with newly diagnosed stage 3 type 1 diabetes, enabling earlier intervention.⁹

Stem-cell-derived islet therapies:

Another area of intense research is the development of stem-cell-derived islet therapies that aim to restore the body’s ability to produce insulin. Zimislecel, a novel therapy using stem cell–derived pancreatic islet cells, has shown great promise. In a 2025 phase 1–2 study, 10 of the 12 participants who received the full dose achieved insulin independence at one year. While these results are encouraging, important challenges remain, including the need for immunosuppressive therapy, safety, and long-term durability assessment in larger studies. Nevertheless, zimislecel represents a significant step toward the goal of functional insulin replacement for people with type 1 diabetes.¹⁰

AI in diabetes management:

Barriers such as specialist shortages, unequal resource distribution, poor medication adherence, and inadequate self-management often hinder optimal glycemic control. Advances in digital health, especially artificial intelligence (AI), are opening new avenues to improve diabetes care and potentially help control health-care costs.

AI is increasingly being explored across the diabetes care continuum, from risk prediction and early diagnosis to personalized treatment and ongoing self-care. Machine learning can analyze data from electronic health records, wearables, and continuous glucose monitoring to identify patterns and predict complications. AI-powered tools can help clinicians optimize medications, while digital platforms may empower patients and promote better adherence.¹¹

Despite this promise, challenges remain. Integrating AI into clinical practice requires rigorous validation, robust data privacy, and strategies to address algorithmic bias. Limited demographic diversity, variable data quality, and a lack of standardized performance benchmarks remain important challenges. Success will also depend on user-friendly design and seamless integration with existing digital tools.¹¹

Could Diabetes Become Easier to Treat, or Prevent?

Diabetes is becoming easier to manage as new medications and technologies emerge. Innovative drugs and devices like continuous glucose monitors, wearables, and health apps help people control blood sugar and track their health in real time. Prevention of type 2 diabetes is also improving through public health campaigns, lifestyle education, and regular screenings. Meanwhile, research into stem cell therapies and the gut microbiome may unlock new ways to restore insulin production or improve metabolic health. While a cure remains elusive, these advances have the potential to make diabetes management and prevention more effective and accessible in the years ahead.^4,10

References and Further Reading

1. Pan C, et al. Global burden of diabetes mellitus 1990-2021: epidemiological trends, geospatial disparities, and risk factor dynamics. \Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)\. 2025;16:1596127. \DOI:\10.3389/fendo.2025.1596127, \https\://www\.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1596127/full\
2. American Diabetes Association. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. \Diabetes Care\. 2009;32 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S62-7. \DOI:\10.2337/dc09-S062, \https\://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/32/Supplement_1/S62/25047/Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes-Mellitus\
3. Diabetes. World Health Organization. 2026; Available at: \https\://www\.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes\\
4. Krause M, De Vito G. Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Commonalities, Differences and the Importance of Exercise and Nutrition. \Nutrients\. 2023;15(19):4279. \DOI:\10.3390/nu15194279, \https\://www\.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/19/4279\
5. Vecchio I, et al. The Discovery of Insulin: An Important Milestone in the History of Medicine. \Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)\. 2018 Oct 23;9:613. \DOI:\10.3389/fendo.2018.00613, \https\://www\.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2018.00613/full\.
6. Gieroba B, et al. Type 2 diabetes mellitus - conventional therapies and future perspectives in innovative treatment. \Biochem Biophys Rep\. 2025;42:102037. \DOI:\10.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102037, \https\://www\.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580825001244\.
7. Thiriveedi M, et al. A narrative review on tirzepatide's therapeutic potential in glycemic control and cardioprotection. \Ann Med Surg (Lond)\. 2026;88(1):371-380. \DOI:\10.1097/MS9.0000000000004055, \https\://www\.ovid.com/jnls/annals-of-medicine-and-surgery/fulltext/10.1097/ms9.0000000000004055\~a-narrative-review-on-tirzepatides-therapeutic-potential-in\.
8. Kwon SY, Moon JS. Advances in Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Clinical Applications. \Endocrinol Metab (Seoul)\. 2025 Apr;40(2):161-173. \DOI:\10.3803/EnM.2025.2370, \https\://e-enm.org/journal/view\.php?doi=10.3803/EnM.2025.2370\.
9. Goldman JD, Choi H. Teplizumab: The First Treatment to Delay the Progression of Type 1 Diabetes. \Clin Diabetes\. 2023 Summer;41(3):474-476. \DOI:\10.2337/cd23-0033, \https\://diabetesjournals.org/clinical/article-abstract/41/3/474/148892/Teplizumab-The-First-Treatment-to-Delay-the\.
10. Reichman TW, Markmann JF, Odorico J, Witkowski P, Fung JJ, Wijkstrom M, Kandeel F, de Koning EJP, Peters AL, Mathieu C, Kean LS, Bruinsma BG, Wang C, Mascia M, Sanna M, Marigowda G, Pagliuca F, Melton D, Ricordi C, Rickels MR; VX-880-101 FORWARD Study Group. Stem Cell-Derived, Fully Differentiated Islets for Type 1 Diabetes. \N Engl J Med\. 2025;393(9):858-868. \DOI:\10.1056/NEJMoa2506549, \https\://www\.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2506549\.
11. Fraser RA, Walker RJ, Campbell JA, Ekwunife O, Egede LE. Integration of artificial intelligence and wearable technology in the management of diabetes and prediabetes. \NPJ Digit Med\. 2025;8(1):687. \DOI:\10.1038/s41746-025-02036-9, \https\://www\.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-02036-9\

Last Updated: Nov 12, 2026