10 June, 2026
The 2026 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions on 5-8 June in New Orleans, USA, showcased the rapid evolution of the diabetes and obesity landscape, with advances extending far beyond glucose control alone. From recognising malnutrition-related diabetes as a distinct condition to emerging immunotherapies that may alter the course of type 1 diabetes, researchers presented new approaches to tackle the condition’s underlying causes.
At the same time, next-generation therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity showed advancements, with novel oral and injectable agents delivering unprecedented improvements in blood glucose management and weight loss, alongside benefits for conditions such as osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Together, these studies demonstrate a broader shift to more personalised, mechanism-based treatments that could transform the management and prevention of diabetes and its complications in the years ahead.
Joint ADA/IDF Symposium addresses malnutrition-related diabetes
At the joint ADA/International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Symposium: What Is Malnutrition-Related Diabetes?, an international panel discussed malnutrition-related diabetes, a newly recognised form of the condition that may affect millions of people worldwide, particularly in Africa and South-East Asia. Now referred to as “type 5 diabetes”, the condition is linked to chronic undernutrition and differs from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Experts outlined ongoing efforts to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and classification of type 5 diabetes, while tackling major gaps in research and clinical guidance. The symposium also served as a global call to collaborate and collect data to better understand and manage this often-overlooked condition. The IDF Working Group on Type 5 Diabetes is leading efforts to develop guidelines and treatment regimens for people living with the condition.
Diabetes Journal symposium explores non-classical complications of diabetes
The 2026 Diabetes Journal Symposium: Non-Classical Complications of Diabetes—Epidemiology, Mechanism, Treatment examined four less-recognised complications of diabetes that are becoming increasingly important as outcomes for classic vascular complications improve. The symposium focused on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), infections, cancer and diabetes-related cardiomyopathy. Researchers discussed the close links between hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) and fatty liver disease, the significant burden of infections among people with diabetes, and the potential role of insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose in cancer development. The session also explored heart muscle dysfunction associated with diabetes, emphasising the need for greater awareness, earlier detection, and improved management of these emerging complications.
Stem cell-derived beta cell therapy is in sight, but barriers remain
The panel discussion, Bridging the Gap: Advancing Stem Cell-Derived Beta-Cell Therapy toward Widespread Clinical Use, addressed stem cell-derived beta cell therapy as a promising yet evolving approach to broader treatment for people with type 1 diabetes. Speakers agreed that reducing or replacing current lifelong immunosuppression is essential if therapy is to move beyond today’s narrow eligibility groups, such as those with recurrent severe hypoglycaemia or kidney transplantation needs. Long-term islet transplant experience, particularly from Edmonton, Canada, offers encouraging safety and efficacy data, but regulatory barriers, especially in the United States, continue to slow progress. Panellists emphasised the need for clearer eligibility criteria, wider and more diverse trial enrolment, validated patient-reported outcomes, and attention to quality-of-life burdens. Cost, manufacturing capacity, and the best transplantation site remain major unresolved challenges. Over the next five years, priorities include combination approaches, regulatory alignment, lower-cost production, reduced immunosuppression and a practical roadmap to expand access while protecting those in greatest clinical need across healthcare systems globally and equitably.
Experts share updates on immunotherapy trials in type 1 diabetes
At the symposium Emerging Insights from Type 1 Diabetes Immunotherapy Clinical Trials researchers presented the growing potential of immunotherapy to change the course of type 1 diabetes by targeting the underlying autoimmune process rather than simply replacing insulin.
Presentations focused on small mechanistic clinical trials, which help scientists understand how immune therapies work and identify which people are most likely to benefit. Researchers discussed biomarkers linked to positive treatment responses, including the emergence of protective immune cell populations. The symposium also reviewed studies of antithymocyte globulin in younger people, and the novel TOPPLE plasmid immunotherapy, while highlighting efforts to design shorter, more efficient clinical trials – from two years to six months – that could accelerate the development of future treatments for type 1 diabetes.
Orforglipron improves glucose control and weight loss in type 2 diabetes.
The Phase III ACHIEVE-5 trial found that once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist or forglipron significantly improved blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes already receiving insulin glargine. HbA1c levels fell by 1.58% to 1.88% across treatment groups, compared with 0.79% with placebo, while participants also achieved weight loss of up to 5.4% over 40 weeks.
Importantly, the treatment did not increase the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose), despite the requirement of higher insulin doses during the study. Researchers noted that weight loss alongside increased insulin use is particularly encouraging, as insulin therapy often leads to weight gain.
The most common side effects were gastrointestinal, including nausea and vomiting, causing a small number of participants to stop treatment. Overall, the findings support orforglipron as a promising new oral treatment option for type 2 diabetes.
Retatrutide shows improvements in blood glucose and weight loss
Results from the Phase III TRANSCEND-T2D-1 trial showed that the investigational triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide improved blood glucose control and reduced body weight in adults with type 2 diabetes. After 40 weeks, HbA1c levels fell by up to 1.94%, with 35–40% of participants achieving normal HbA1c levels below 5.7% without severe hypoglycaemia.
Retatrutide also produced weight loss, with participants losing up to 15.3% of their body weight compared with 2.6% for placebo. Researchers suggested that its glucagon receptor activity may contribute to these weight-loss effects.
The most common side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms, which generally improved over time. Experts noted that while its glucose-lowering effects are comparable to those of existing dual agonists, retatrutide’s greatest potential may be its weight-reducing effects, although further studies are needed to determine whether this translates into additional long-term clinical benefits.
Petrelintide delivers weight loss with fewer gastrointestinal side effects
The Phase II ZUPREME-1 trial found that the investigational long-acting amylin analogue petrelintide produced weight loss with relatively few gastrointestinal side effects. Adults with obesity or overweight achieved sustained weight reductions of 8.7% to 10.7% over 42 weeks, compared with 1.7% for placebo, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise programme.
Unlike many GLP-1 receptor agonists, petrelintide was associated with low rates of vomiting and diarrhoea, while most cases of nausea were mild. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events was also uncommon.
Researchers suggested that the treatment could become an attractive first-line option for managing obesity in primary care, particularly for people who require moderate weight loss or who struggle to tolerate GLP-1 therapies. Petrelintide also showed favourable effects on several cardiovascular risk factors, and Phase III trials are now underway to further evaluate its safety and effectiveness.
