French researchers identify four immune subtypes of type 2 diabetes

Researchers from Inserm, CNRS, and Université Paris Cité have identified four distinct immune profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes. By analyzing the immune systems of 1,500 recently diagnosed individuals, the team discovered that the disease is not uniform but consists of subgroups with different biological mechanisms and complication risks.

The identified subtypes include: Severe Inflammatory Diabetes (SIND), which carries higher risks and affects approximately 15% of patients; Mild Inflammatory Diabetes (MIND); Lymphocyte-Rich Diabetes (LYRD), which may offer a protective effect; and Lymphocyte-Deficient Diabetes (LYDD), which is also associated with higher risks.

A simple blood test can identify these profiles, potentially predicting cardiovascular and renal complications up to five years in advance. This discovery paves the way for personalized medicine, moving away from the current standard protocol of uniform dietary and medicinal interventions. However, experts note that implementing this innovation must address existing health inequalities in France, where diabetes prevalence is significantly higher in disadvantaged areas and overseas territories.