The global impact of type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is one of the pressing health challenges of our time. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)[1], 589 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes. This number is projected to rise to 853 million by 2050.
Can type 1 and 2 diabetes be reversed?
While type 2 diabetes is more prevalent[2] and can be reversed, particularly if addressed early, type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune condition, impacts the lives of approximately 9 million people globally, requires insulin therapy and cannot be reversed. T1D is often diagnosed in childhood, but an adult-onset autoimmune form called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) is increasingly being recognized (IDF overview)[3] [4]. LADA accounts for roughly 5–12% of cases initially classified as type 2 diabetes. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical, however, misclassification remains a significant issue: up to 40% of adults aged 30 or over with autoimmune diabetes may be initially diagnosed as type 2, delaying appropriate treatment and increasing complication risks.[5]
Marker identification in type 1 and 2 diabetes identification
Type 1 diabetes is defined by the presence of diabetes-associated autoantibodies, which signal ongoing or imminent beta-cell destruction. Type 1 diabetes involves an autoimmune attack on pancreatic beta cells, whereas type 2 diabetes does not involve autoimmunity and is primarily a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance.
[1] IDF Diabetes Atlas | Global Diabetes Data & Statistics
[2] Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Prevalence by Country – GlobalData
[3] Type 1 Diabetes | International Diabetes Federation
[4] https://idf.org/about-diabetes/types-of-diabetes/type-1-diabetes/
[5] AMCP-2025-Sanofi-Poster-Type-1-Diabetes-T1D-or-Latent-Autoimmune-Diabetes-in-Adults.pdf
Clinically relevant markers include:
The current ADA guidelines recommend testing for several autoantibodies to confirm that the disease is caused by an autoimmune problem and to understand a person’s risk level. [6] [7] [8]
Challenges in conventional autoimmune testing
Traditional single-analyte assays require multiple tests to cover all relevant markers. This creates operational challenges for laboratories that include extended turnaround times for comprehensive panels. Higher sample volume requirements, which can be particularly problematic in paediatric cases, is also an issue. Workflow inefficiencies in high-throughput clinical environments that have turnaround demands can be a challenge. These limitations further highlight the need for more integrated solutions that combine accuracy with efficiency for faster diagnosis.
[6] Volume 47 Issue Supplement_1 | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes Association
[7] Activation of NF-E2–Related Factor-2 Reverses Biochemical Dysfunction of Endothelial Cells Induced by Hyperglycemia Linked to Vascular Disease | Diabetes | American Diabetes Association
[8] Predicting Type 1 Diabetes Using Biomarkers | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes Association
Impact of early clinical diagnosis of diabetes
Early identification of autoimmune diabetes allows clinicians to:
Multiplex microarray testing: A new approach in autoimmune diagnostics
As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, laboratories look to adopt technologies that deliver accuracy, efficiency and scalability to meet diagnostic testing demand in a clinical laboratory setting. At AliveDx, a MosaiQ AiPlex® Diabetes panel[9] is currently in development. The objective is to take a step forward in autoimmune diabetes testing to better support clinicians and patients. Designed as a multiplex microarray panel leveraging AliveDx innovations such as multiplex testing by AliveDx, once developed it aims to enable simultaneous detection of four clinically significant autoantibodies: GAD65, IA-2, ZnT8, and IAA in a single assay.
Given the automation complexity of heterogeneous ELISA incubation times, or the management difficulties of radio immunoassay, the MosaiQ 4 markers simultaneous detection panel under development, aims at simplifying diabetes autoantibodies detection, antibody characterization, analysis and overcoming challenges in laboratories.
[9] Data on file
This multiplex approach offers several benefits for clinical laboratories: Improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, reduced turnaround times and optimized sample utilization. By consolidating multiple markers into one test, our MosaiQ AiPlex® Diabetes aims to simplify workflows, support early and accurate identification of type 1 diabetes and LADA, and enhance predictive screening for at-risk individuals through one scalable, high-throughput platform. This multiplex approach is still in development but highlights the potential of advancement in in-vitro diagnostic patient care. Multiplex microarray panels consolidate key markers into a single test.
The benefits for clinical laboratories include:
To learn more about AliveDx and what we can do to help accelerate lab workflows and support patient care, contact us today.
*Certain assays and intended uses for the MosaiQ® system are currently under development and are not yet cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The MosaiQ® instrument is available in the U.S. as a class II 510(k) exempt device. The MosaiQ AiPlex® Diabetes panel is currently under development globally and not currently available for use.
©2025 – AliveDx Suisse SA – AliveDx, AliveDx logo, MosaiQ, AiPlex, MosaiQ AiPlex and LumiQ are trademarks or registered trademarks of AliveDx group companies in various jurisdictions. Not all methods may be available in all territories. Subject to regulatory clearance in some territories.
References
- International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas: https://diabetesatlas.org/
- IDF Type 1 Diabetes Overview: https://idf.org/about-diabetes/types-of-diabetes/type-1-diabetes/
- ADA Standards of Care: https://professional.diabetes.org/standards-of-care
- AliveDx MosaiQ AiPlex Diabetes: Data on file
- Autoantibody Clinical Relevance (Diabetes Care): https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-0101
- ZnT8 Antibody Study: https://doi.org/10.2337/db06-1003
- Global Data: https://www.globaldata.com/data-insights/healthcare/type-1-and-type-2-diabetes-prevalence-by-country/
- American Diabetes Association: Volume 47 Issue Supplement_1 | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes Association
