Diabetes affects over 37 million Americans and occurs when the body can't properly regulate blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition requiring insulin, while Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance and is often managed with lifestyle changes and medication. Current treatments include insulin, metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, and SGLT2 inhibitors.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing once-weekly insulin formulations, dual and triple incretin receptor agonists for weight loss and glucose control, automated insulin delivery systems that adjust doses in real time, and stem cell therapies to replace insulin-producing cells in Type 1 diabetes. Researchers are also studying ways to prevent Type 1 diabetes in people at high genetic risk and new approaches to diabetic complications like kidney disease and neuropathy.
Cell replacement therapies
Studies are testing stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells, some protected in implantable devices to avoid immune rejection. Early results show some people producing their own insulin again after transplant.
Multi-receptor incretins
New drugs activate multiple hormone receptors at once, producing greater weight loss and glucose control than single-target drugs. Tirzepatide, which targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, was approved in 2022 for Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 prevention
Teplizumab delays Type 1 diabetes onset by an average of two years in high-risk individuals. Researchers are testing whether other immune-modulating drugs can prevent or halt the autoimmune attack on insulin-producing cells.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on diabetes type, hemoglobin A1c level, body weight, kidney function, previous medications, and presence of complications.
What types of trials are currently open
- Glucose control trials — Testing new medications or insulin formulations to see how well they lower blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c levels.
- Weight management trials — Studies of GLP-1 agonists and newer drugs that combine glucose control with significant weight loss.
- Technology trials — Testing continuous glucose monitors, automated insulin pumps, and closed-loop systems that adjust insulin delivery automatically.
- Complication prevention trials — Evaluating treatments to prevent or slow diabetic kidney disease, nerve damage, eye disease, and cardiovascular problems.
- Prevention trials — Studies testing whether drugs can delay or prevent Type 1 diabetes in people with high genetic risk or early immune markers.
Recently added Diabetes Mellitus trials
Comparative Study of Combination Treatment of Bionerv E+ Versus Vitamin B Complex in Treatment of Diabetic Polyneuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Its Effect on Wound Healing
Diabetic symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a common complication of diabetes that affects the nerves, especially in the legs and feet. It can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and loss of sensation. These problems can affect daily activities and quality of life. Loss of sensation can also increase the risk of foot wounds and problems with wound healing. This study is comparing two treatments in people with type 2 diabetes and DSPN. The main purpose is to find out whether a combination of alpha-lipoic acid, vitamins B1, B6, B12, and vitamin E is providing greater improvement in neuropathy symptoms than vitamins B1, B6, and B12 alone. The study is also examining changes in wound healing. About 100 participants are taking part at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM). Participants are being randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group is receiving Bionerv E+, which contains alpha-lipoic acid, vitamins B1, B6, B12, and vitamin E. The other group is receiving a vitamin B-complex containing vitamins B1, B6, and B12. Both treatments are being taken daily for 12 weeks in addition to standard treatment for DSPN. Researchers are assessing participants before and after treatment. These assessments are examining nerve problems in the lower limbs, pain, quality of life, and blood markers related to inflammation. For participants with diabetic foot ulcers, researchers are also assessing changes in the wounds.
Effects of a Specialized Diabetes and Heart Clinic and Detection of Unrecognized Heart Failure in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of a specialized Cardio-Metabolic Clinic (CMC) in people with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. The CMC provides integrated and individualized diabetes and cardiovascular care aimed at optimizing medication, lifestyle, and management of related health conditions. Treatment recommendations are supported by a decision-support algorithm combining individual patient information with current clinical guidelines. Echo-CT-ProtecT-2D comprises two parallel studies conducted within the same randomized study population: Study 1 - EchoProtecT-2D focuses on cardiac function and heart failure phenotyping. The main questions are: * Can treatment in the CMC improve heart function at rest and during physical activity compared with usual care? * Can treatment in the CMC reduce systemic inflammation and improve physical function, symptoms, and quality of life? * How common is previously unrecognized heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), in this high-risk population? Study 2 - CT-ProtecT-2D focuses on coronary inflammation and atherosclerosis. The main questions are: * Can treatment in the CMC reduce inflammation around the coronary arteries compared with usual care? * Can treatment in the CMC reduce the burden of coronary atherosclerosis compared with usual care? * Can treatment in the CMC lead to favorable changes in the composition and high-risk features of coronary atherosclerotic plaques compared with usual care? Participants will be randomly assigned to either treatment in the CMC or usual care provided by their regular healthcare providers. Participants will: * Have an ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography) at rest and during physical activity at baseline and after 12 months * Have a CT scan of the coronary arteries at baseline and after 12 months * Provide blood and urine samples * Complete questionnaires about symptoms and quality of life * Complete a six-minute walk test to assess physical function * If assigned to the CMC, attend additional clinic visits as needed to optimize treatment
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