One Type of Diabetes Responds Better to a Weekly GLP-1 Drug Than to Insulin

A study led by Ain Shams University in Egypt, published in Diabetologia, found that the GLP-1 drug dulaglutide administered weekly was more effective than daily insulin injections in treating diabetes caused by transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) in 80 adolescents aged 10–18. Participants on dulaglutide showed greater improvements in blood sugar control, more time in healthy glucose zones, no significant weight gain, and signs of reduced iron overload, compared with the insulin group.

This is an early-stage study in a rare form of diabetes; findings require follow-up trials before broader clinical application.