Lately a lot of attention has been focused on the Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the largest teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School. The MGH conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the United States, with an annual research budget of nearly $463 million. With deep pockets and medical moxie like that-would you expect the potential cure for type 1 diabetes to come from anywhere else?

In 1999, a MGH research study identified a gene malfunction that plays a pivotal role in the development of type 1 diabetes. The study showed that a gene required to help teach the immune system to recognize so-called "self" proteins is somehow inactivated, causing type 1 diabetes. Sounds like tricky stuff, but it prefaced a strong foundation for the prototype to cure type 1 diabetes. In 2001 MGH researchers found that by retraining the animal's immune system not to attack insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, it would correct the autoimmune dysfunction causing type 1 diabetes. This research, in concert with a discovery made in 2003, whereby spleen cells appear to develop into insulin-producing cells, provided a revolutionary approach to curing type 1 diabetes. The National Institute of Health has recently confirmed this as a potential cure for type 1 diabetes.

Think of the illustrious contributions Harvard has bestowed on modern society in the form of witty-banter. The Harvard Lampoon, the Simpsons, and of course -- Conan O'Brien. It's only fitting that the cure for type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases would come from the motherland of such mental marvels.

I've mentioned the possibility of oral insulin a few times before, and I'd like to reiterate some exciting news. A recent study confirms that Generex Oral-lyn is as effective as injections in controlling after meal blood sugar rises. The study compared the effects of two forms of mealtime insulin treatments in patients with Type-1 diabetes. The patients were all on 2 daily injections of NPH insulin for long-acting blood sugar control. The study measured the efficacy in treatment of after meal blood sugar spikes.

To treat after meal blood sugar rises, 11 subjects in the control group received three pre-meal injections of regular insulin. The 14 subjects in the treatment group received three split-dose applications of Generex Oral-lyn (i.e. RapidMist puffs of Generex Oral-lyn) before and after meals. The fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were checked approximately every 2 weeks to determine the efficacy of treatment. The study demonstrated that both Generex Oral-lyn and mealtime injections of regular insulin achieved near normalization of blood glucose. This measurement was made based on the continuous improvement in fructosamine and HbA1c levels. However, a straightforward comparison of HbA1c levels showed a superior effect for Generex Oral-lyn.

By providing a simple and effective alternative to mealtime insulin injections, Generex Oral-lyn is designed to improve patient compliance which is likely to improve diabetes control, thus reducing the risk of long-term complications. This study prepares Generex for a pivotal late-stage, long-term trial of Generex Oral-lyn which will begin early in 2007. This is sounding more promising with every press release. Thanks to the tenacious women behind the genius of Generex - we won't have to hold our breath too long before we see oral insulin. Way to go, ladies!!

Altea Therapeutics is working on the next generation of insulin delivery in the form of an insulin patch. Altea is developing, both 12 and 24-hour, patches to provide controlled, continuous delivery of basal insulin in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This will allow uninterrupted, measured delivery of insulin through the skin, by way of an adhesive sticker no larger than a few centimeters. For those already diagnosed with diabetes, this could be the band aid to quell their fear of needles, as well as effectively sticking to an insulin regimen. For those in limbo, diagnosed as pre-diabetes, this may be the answer your body needs to supplement your insulin reserves.

The PassPort^TM System is comprised of a single-use disposable PassPort^TM Patch and a re-useable handheld applicator. The patch is made of a metallic grid containing powder insulin. The handheld applicator releases a single pulse of electrical energy that converts into thermal energy, painlessly fastening the grid to the skin surface. The electronic pulse also creates porous channels to deliver the insulin through the skin. No injections, application in milliseconds, and continuous basal delivery of insulin throughout the day.

This breakthrough technology is about freedom, convenience and ultimately better control. The PassPort^TM System replaces injections thereby enhancing compliance in patients. This directly correlates to better diabetes control. Upon FDA approval, I can only hope this dandy contraption is warmly welcomed into your doctor's office. As every doctor continues searching for the Holy Grail of patient compliance, tell him to check this out. Talk about patching things up!