Researchers Develop Potential Cure for Type 1 Diabetes Without Immunosuppressants

MUSC team pioneers groundbreaking two-part cellular therapy to restore insulin production and prevent immune attack.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) are pioneering a novel approach to treating and potentially curing type 1 diabetes (T1D). Led by Dr. Leonardo Ferreira, the team is leveraging a $1 million grant from Breakthrough T1D to develop a two-part cellular therapy that aims to restore insulin production without the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs.

Why it matters

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease affecting 1.5 million Americans, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells. Current treatments require constant monitoring and insulin injections, leading to severe complications over time. This new therapy offers hope for a potential cure by addressing both the shortage of donor tissue and the immune system's rejection of transplanted cells.

The details

The MUSC team's strategy centers around generating functional beta cells in the lab using stem cell technology, and then engineering the immune system's regulatory T cells (Tregs) to specifically target and protect the transplanted cells. These engineered 'CAR-Tregs' act as 'bodyguards,' suppressing the immune response and allowing the new beta cells to thrive without the need for immunosuppressive drugs.

  • The MUSC team received a $1 million grant from Breakthrough T1D in 2026 to develop this therapy.
  • Previous research on this approach was supported by a 2021 Discovery Pilot grant from the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute (SCTR).

The players

Dr. Leonardo Ferreira

The lead researcher on the MUSC team pioneering this two-part cellular therapy for type 1 diabetes.

Breakthrough T1D

A leading global research and advocacy organization providing funding for promising type 1 diabetes research.

Dr. Holger Russ

A leading stem cell researcher at the University of Florida who collaborated with Dr. Ferreira on the initial research for this project.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in diabetes research, to provide new hope and better outcomes for those living with this condition.”

— Dr. Leonardo Ferreira, Lead Researcher, MUSC

What’s next

The team's ongoing research will focus on extending the protective effects of the CAR-Tregs, optimizing delivery methods, and exploring the potential of multiple doses for long-lasting results.

The takeaway

This groundbreaking therapy has the potential to fundamentally change the treatment of type 1 diabetes, shifting the focus from lifelong management to a possible cure. If successful, the principles behind this approach could also have broader applications in treating other autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer.