Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic
condition marked by persistent elevated blood sugar levels, affects
approximately 422 million individuals globally, predominantly in low- and
middle-income countries, contributing to 1.5 million deaths annually.
Overcoming current hurdles in diabetes management involves optimizing existing
therapies for glycemic control and improving healthcare delivery. The aim of
this study is to examine the novel application of therapeutic lentivirus in
diabetes management. Gene therapy, specifically utilizing lentiviruses, emerges
as a promising avenue in diabetes management. Some lentivirus gene therapies
that have been explored in diabetes management include; LentiINS, LentiVIP,
Lenti GLP-1, LentiLacZ, LentiINSVIP, INSlentivirus. Research explored
delivering the human proinsulin gene using a lentiviral vector (LentiINS),
resulting in improved glucose levels in diabetic mice. LentiINS and an
anti-inflammatory vector LentiVIP in a combinatory therapy (LentiINSVIP) proved
effective in suppressing diabetes-related inflammation. Lentiviral vectors for
VIP gene delivery showcased reduced glucose level and increased beta-cell
proliferation. LacZ gene carrying lentivirus did not significantly improve
symptoms in diabetic rats. Lentiviral vectors expressing furin-cleavable human
insulin (INS lentivirus) in the liver demonstrated efficacy in reversing
diabetes without pancreatic beta-cell transdifferentiation. Additionally,
lentiviral vectors encoding GLP-1 exhibited anti-diabetic efficacy in a type 2
DM model. Lentiviruses thus emerge as versatile tools in innovative approaches
for diabetes treatment, warranting further research and clinical trials to
assess safety and therapeutic potential.
