"Rare Tumor May Point The Way To Diabetes" - Serena Gordon
A rare, benign tumor that grows in the pancreas may give doctors the tools they need to help people with diabetes make more insulin. These tumors are called insulinomas because they secrete the hormone insulin in excessive amounts. People with diabetes don't have enough insulin to cover their bodies' basic needs for the hormone. The study's senior author, Andrew Stewart, MD, director of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic institute and professor of medicine, endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said the researchers have mapped approximately 90 insulinoma tumors at this point, but only 38 were included in the current study. "We have an actual wiring diagram in molecular terms for beta cell replication, and there are different mutation patterns that lead to beta cell regeneration. We've found about 30 different pathways," said Dr. Stewart. "Amazing things are happening in the world of beta cell regeneration,” added. Dr. Stewart.
- Andrew Stewart, MD, Director, Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolic Institute, Professor, Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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