I found this study where gene therapy was used to alter alpha cells to behave more like beta cells quite interesting:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5757249/

I don't know if much has happened with the research since, but the theory was since only beta cells are targeted by the autoimmune response, perhaps these "pseudo Beta cells" might be left to produce insulin without being attacked. Does mean you're potentially left with inhibited glucagon production though. Perhaps gene therapy altered alpha cells could be implanted rather than altering the ones you have.

> highly specific immune-suppression

It is being developed and has cured type 1 diabetes in two clinical trials:

1. "Metabolic and immune effects of immunotherapy with proinsulin peptide in human new-onset type 1 diabetes" https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf7779

2. "Safety and feasibility of intradermal injection with tolerogenic dendritic cells pulsed with proinsulin peptide—for type 1 diabetes" https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30104-2

A press release about the study: https://www.cityofhope.org/breakthroughs/safety-trial-for-ty...

They are currently recruiting for the next clinical trial. Perhaps you could participate?

"An Immunotherapy Vaccine (PIpepTolDC) for the Treatment of Patients With Type 1 Diabetes" https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04590872

Unfortunately, you really can't (except as an absolute last resort) suppress the immune system of children. Seems as most Type 1 diabetics are diagnosed in early childhood and the age of onset/diagnosis is creeping forward, an approach involving immunosuppressants is not likely feasible for the majority. By the time you're old enough to take immunosuppressants the beta cells are well and truly destroyed and they don't regenerate.

The new treatment isn't an immuno-suppressant. It de-programs the immune system so it stops attacking the beta cells. It's essentially a highly-effective allergy shot.

Thanks for the clarification. Your links aren't working now (site maintenance).

However, I did view them initially. The study abstracts mentioned immunotherapy, I didn't even realise we were capable of "de-programming", or that that was a considered immunotherapy!

My 3 year old daughter is the Type 1 diabetic in our family. However, I'm immunosuppressed due to a (seemingly) entirely unrelated autoimmune disease, Sarcoidosis. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for this more targeted approach to immunotherapy.

If you happen to have links to any other papers/articles using similar techniques (even for different diseases) then I'd be quite curious to read up on the topic. Thanks!

That's all I have at the moment.