The last few decades has seen monumental strides in both technologic and scientific advances and discoveries in the field
of diabetic research. This review article discusses the background behind Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), how it is an
autoimmune condition with a molecular origin dysfunction before presenting discussion on recently discovered concepts.
The article explores the role that stem cells play in diabetic treatment beginning with graft harvesting before discussion
of newly discovered stem cells in the spleen and what that means for treatment. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) is
believed to play a role in therapeutic options for diabetics, as there is reason to believe that TNF-α is capable of inducing
apoptosis in selectively autoreactive CD8+ T-cells and data behind utilizing TNF agonists is illustrated. Ultrasensitive
c-peptide assays shed light on the true functional status of islet β cells and conclude that the decline in function occurs
over decades and not months as was previously thought. All these concepts and discoveries pave the way for future clinical
trials and the discovery of more curative diabetic treatment options.