From June 5 through June 8, 2026, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) hosted its annual Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, Louisiana. As the largest and most prominent diabetes conference in the world, the annual meeting saw over 12,000 researchers and clinicians gather together to discuss the latest advancements in diabetes and obesity research, clinical care, and technical innovation. 

Today, we have a curated selection of abstracts that were presented at the 2026 ADA Scientific Sessions. Some descriptions and conclusions were edited for clarity and brevity. All abstracts from the conference are available in the June 2026 supplement issue of Diabetes - A Journal of the American Diabetes Association.

Abstracts from the 2026 ADA Scientific Sessions

Combination LUM-201 and Semaglutide Enhances Weight Loss and Preserves Lean Mass in Diet-Induced Obesity: Translational Rationale for a Phase 2 Study in Adults with Obesity

  • Description: GLP-1 receptor agonists produce weight and fat-mass reduction in obesity, but concurrent loss of lean mass may diminish metabolic and functional outcomes. Obesity reduces endogenous growth hormone (GH), which may limit lean-mass preservation during weight loss. LUM-201 (ibutamoren), an investigational oral GH secretagogue, increases lean mass without increasing fat mass in humans (Nass 2008). [The researchers] hypothesized combining LUM-201 and semaglutide would enhance weight loss and preserve lean mass in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model.
  • Conclusion: LUM-201 and semaglutide combination enhances weight loss, preserves lean mass, and improves metabolic function in DIO mice. These effects will be evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in obesity focusing on weight loss, muscle preservation, motor function and quality of life.

Pancreas-Targeted Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Gene Therapy Enhances β-Cell Function and Suppresses Cellular Stress in Preclinical Type 2 Diabetes Models

  • Description: β-cell dysfunction and loss drive type 2 diabetes progression. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists improve β-cell function and health but are limited by discontinuation and glycemic rebound. [The researchers] developed a single-dose adeno-associated virus gene therapy encoding human GLP-1 driven by an engineered insulin promoter (AAV.INS.GLP1) for durable, β-cell-specific, nutrient-responsive expression and secretion. [The researchers] have previously shown that AAV.INS.GLP1 durably improves glycemia in db/db mice. Here, [the researchers] evaluated its effects on β-cell function and health in db/db islets and human β-cells.
  • Conclusion:  Single-dose, β-cell-specific, pancreatic gene therapy improves β-cell secretory function and reduces cellular stress, supporting its potential as a durable, disease-modifying therapy for type 2 diabetes.

Plasma MMP-9 Concentration Is Reduced by GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

  • Description: Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists (GLP1RAs) reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and death in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus at high risk. Platelet hyperactivation and endothelial dysfunction contribute to elevated cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes. Platelet factor-4, glycoprotein V, thromboxane B2, soluble P-selectin and CD40 ligand are markers of platelet activation and inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), ICAM-1, VCAM-1 contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to measure plasma levels of these markers of platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction, before and after 16 weeks of GLP1RA treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and to correlate this with clinical response.
  • Conclusion: As elevated MMP-9 is implicated in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and adverse cardiac events, reduction in MMP-9 may be a possible mechanism contributing to the cardiovascular benefits of GLP1RAs.

Immunologically Distinct Type 1 Diabetes Subgroups Exhibit Divergent Metabolomic Profiles

  • Description: The concept of endotypes, disease subgroups with distinct pathomechanisms, offers a framework to explain biological and therapeutic response variability in type 1 diabetes. [The researchers] previously identified two age-independent, immunologically distinct type 1 diabetes subgroups. Subgroup 1 exhibited elevated plasma cytokine/chemokine levels, increased circulating Th1 T-cells, and a better therapeutic response to anti-CD20. Subgroup 2 had elevated levels of plasma microRNAs and a better therapeutic response to CTLA4-Ig that was associated with reductions in central memory T-cells and preservation of regulatory T-cells. Here, [the researchers] analyzed plasma metabolomic profiles of these two subgroups.
  • Conclusion: These findings extend previously defined subgroup differences, with BA dysregulation as a key feature. Given the dependence of BA homeostasis on liver-gut microbiota interactions, these results suggest the presence of a putative liver-gut-pancreas axis that may contribute to biological heterogeneity in type 1 diabetes and warrants further mechanistic investigation.

Efficacy, Glycemic Variability, and Safety of Insulin Icodec Combined with Semaglutide in Simplifying Complex Polypharmacy for Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study

  • Description: Treatment burden from complex polypharmacy (≥3 glucose-lowering agents) compromises adherence in type 2 diabetes. This study investigated whether switching to a simplified dual therapy of once-weekly insulin icodec and semaglutide could maintain or improve glycemic control while reducing therapeutic complexity.
  • Conclusion: Icodec combined semaglutide dual therapy provides simplified, safe, effective glycemic management, a promising therapeutic option for type 2 diabetes patients with suboptimal glycemic control on complex polypharmacy.

A Real-World Retrospective Study Characterizing Screening and Treatment Patterns for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in Individuals Treated with Teplizumab in the U.S.

  • Description: Teplizumab, an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, is approved in the United States to delay stage 3 type 1 diabetes onset in individuals aged ≥8 years (y) with stage 2 type 1 diabetes. [The researchers] present screening and real-world treatment (Tx) patterns from individuals in the United States who received Teplizumab according to their age group.
  • Conclusion: This TEPLI-REAL United States cohort provides important insights into the care pathway of youth and adults who were treated with Teplizumab in clinical practice.

A Novel Strategy for Optimizing Preconception Medication Choices in Women with Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes

  • Description: Women with type 2 diabetes have suboptimal pregnancy outcomes, including high risks of miscarriage, stillbirth and perinatal death. Optimizing pre-pregnancy glycemia to achieve HbA1c <48 mmol/mol (6.5%) can improve outcomes. Insulin therapy preconception is widely recommended, but can cause weight gain and is often unappealing to patients, suggesting that alternative glucose-lowering agents may have a role. [The researchers] aimed to identify optimal alternative therapies to improve glycemic control in women with early onset type 2 diabetes using a recently validated model which predicts individual glycemic responses to five major glucose-lowering drug classes using routine clinical features.
  • Conclusion: Optimal alternative treatments for women with early onset type 2 diabetes are SGLT2i or GLP1RAs to optimize glycemia in preparation for pregnancy. SGLT2is and GLP1RAs should be stopped 4-8 weeks before discontinuing contraception.

Off-Label Use of U-500 Insulin in Tandem Mobi Pump for Optimization of Care in a Patient with Insulin Resistant Type 1 Diabetes

  • Description: Insulin pump-based Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) therapy has significantly improved glucose control and reduced hypoglycemic risk in patients with type 1 Diabetes, but is currently only approved to use with U-100 insulin, which can be problematic in patients with severe insulin resistance, due to frequent cartridge volume exhaustion, infusion site saturation, less reliable insulin delivery. [The researchers] present a case of successful off-label use of U-500 insulin in a Tandem Mobi pump in a patient with insulin resistant type 1 Diabetes.
  • Conclusion: While requiring careful setting adjustment and close supervision, the off-label use of U-500 insulin in a Tandem Mobi pump is a safe and viable option for patients with insulin resistant type 1 Diabetes. More studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of using concentrated insulin in pumps.

Reduction in Incident Type 2 Diabetes with National Diabetes Prevention Program/Intensive Lifestyle Intervention: Results from the Reality Research Network

  • Description: Real-World Effectiveness of Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention (REALITY) is a multicenter research network examining the long-term effectiveness of National Diabetes Prevention Program/Intensive Lifestyle Interventions (N-DPP/ILI) in real-world settings.
  • Conclusion: Adults who participated in ≥1 N-DPP/ILI session had an 11% lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes compared to similar non-enrollees. [The] findings underscore the benefits of N-DPP/ILI participation across real-world populations and settings.

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