Immuno-Phenotyping for Better Cardiovascular Risk Prediction In People With Type 1 Diabetes

Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly one-third of all deaths. People with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing these diseases, adding a significant burden on their health and healthcare systems. Besides, they even have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to the population without diabetes, even when they do not have any of the most frequent cardiovascular disease risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol levels, and it is unclear why. Currently, researchers and clinicians can rely on tools such as the Steno Type 1 Risk Engine to predict a person’s risk of developing heart problems in the next 5 to 10 years. This tool uses a variety of factors like age, gender, cholesterol levels, and physical activity. While helpful, there is a need to improve this prediction thanks to the integration of other markers such as the immune system and inflammation markers.

Our project, called IMPHEENITY, aims to explore how the immune system may influence the risk of heart problems in people with type 1 diabetes. We believe that by studying the immune system in detail, we can find new ways to predict heart risks more accurately and identify those at greatest risk earlier. The project will combine traditional heart risk factors (like cholesterol and blood sugar) with advanced information about a person's immune system to create better prediction tools.

To achieve this, our team will conduct large-scale studies to identify immune markers and clinical parameters linked to heart disease in people with type 1 diabetes. We will also use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze this large data and create a model that can give more personalized predictions about heart risks. Ultimately, this approach could help doctors develop more tailored treatments for people with type 1 diabetes, potentially preventing heart problems before they happen.

The IMPHEENITY project hopes to improve our understanding of how type 1 diabetes affects the heart, paving the way for better healthcare and outcomes for all people living with type 1 diabetes.