Professor Francesco Rubino

Can a cure for diabetes be found through surgery?

Peter Hansel, Professor Francesco Rubino

Despite the global surge of Type 2 diabetes affecting one in ten people by 2040, Professor Francesco Rubino's research demonstrates that gastric bypass surgery can induce immediate remission by correcting duodenal hormone signaling rather than relying solely on weight loss. While only 0.1% to 1% of eligible patients currently access this life-saving procedure, Rubino is leading clinical trials on non-invasive alternatives and driving updates to international guidelines that recognize surgery as a primary treatment option. This work provides critical biological evidence that challenges the "lifestyle disease" narrative, offering a pathway for future pharmaceutical cures to address the epidemic without requiring invasive intervention.