Abstract

Gene editing technologies, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, have emerged as promising tools for advancing the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This abstract explores the current landscape and future potential of gene editing in diabetes treatment. Diabetes mellitus, characterized by dysregulation of blood glucose levels, encompasses type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Traditional treatments primarily involve insulin therapy, lifestyle modifications, and oral medications, which may not fully address the underlying genetic factors contributing to disease onset and progression. Gene editing offers a revolutionary approach by enabling precise modifications to the genome, targeting key genes implicated in diabetes pathogenesis. In T1D, CRISPR-Cas9 holds promise for correcting autoimmune dysfunction by editing genes involved in immune response regulation or promoting beta cell survival and function. For T2D and GDM, gene editing strategies focus on improving insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and pancreatic function through targeted modifications in genes associated with insulin signaling pathways or beta cell function. Challenges such as off-target effects, delivery methods, and ethical considerations remain significant hurdles in translating gene editing therapies from research to clinical application. Nonetheless, ongoing advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 technology and preclinical studies demonstrate encouraging outcomes, paving the way for potential gene-based therapies to complement or replace current treatments for diabetes mellitus. Future research efforts are crucial to refining safety, efficacy, and accessibility of gene editing approaches, aiming towards personalized and curative strategies in diabetes management.