I’m pleased to share with you this year’s annual report and some highlights from the work being conducted at the Diabetes Research Institute. In this issue, you can read about our latest advances in cellular therapy and our integrated approach to tackle three basic hurdles we’ve identified on the path to a cure: an ideal place in which to transplant insulin-producing cells called islets, a robust supply of these cells, and ultimately, interventions to prevent rejection of these fragile cells once transplanted, as well as ways to prevent the recurrence of autoimmunity. These three avenues of research, commonly called Site, Sustain and Supply, form the pillars of research conducted at the DRI, and each area includes multiple projects, and numerous teams of scientists working in tandem with collaborators both here in the US and with many colleagues abroad. Here, too, you can read the latest updates on the DRI’s multiple clinical trials in which the latest advancements will be rolled out and put to the scientific test; some trials like the BioHub trial are already underway and some are nearing completion with results reported to the public in peer-reviewed publications soon. The recently launched POSEIDON Trial now has several pediatric and adult subjects participating here in Miami; additional centers have expressed interest in starting collaborative trials using a similar protocol to determine whether it’s possible to halt progression of diabetes and/or reverse autoimmunity in individuals with long-term diabetes. Many other areas of scientific investigation are reporting progress in this annual – from the latest in cellular therapies using regulatory T cells and the exploration of possible predictive biomarkers for diabetes, to work with promising immune pathways and regeneration of islet cells from multiple sources. DRI teams are also making headway using novel biomaterials
3
[2018 annual report]
in sufficiently large scale production that would enable the testing of new approaches in pre-clinical models. We’ll hear more about the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their immune-modulating abilities, as well as the significant benefits they may offer to the islet transplant process – a growing area of research interest and activity. Lastly, the scientists and members of the Diabetes Research Institute family encourage you to ask questions, come visit us, and participate actively in the research process that affects you and your loved ones. Our doors are always open and we look forward to sharing with you the many advances we’ve made on our path to a cure. Warm regards,
Camillo Ricordi, M.D. Stacy Joy Goodman Professor of Surgery Distinguished Professor of Medicine Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology & Immunology Director, Diabetes Research Institute and Cellular Transplantation University of Miami