Clinical Focus

  • Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

Academic Appointments

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (2025)
  • Fellowship: Stanford University Endocrinology Fellowship (2025) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2023)
  • Residency: Marshfield Clinic Health System (2023) WI
  • Medical Education: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty (2017) Turkey

Contact

  • Academic
    takcan@stanford.edu
    University - Other Teaching/Research Department: Medicine - Med/Endocrinology Position: Instructor
  • Clinical (Primary)  Endocrinology Academic Office 300 Pasteur Dr Rm S025 MC 5103 Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 725-7085 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 5103

Clinical Trials

  • Sotagliflozin to Slow Kidney Function Decline in Persons With Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease Recruiting

    Powerful new drugs that can prevent or delay end stage kidney disease (ESKD) - so called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) - are now available for patients with type 2 diabetes. Whether these drugs have similar effects in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unknown because of the few studies in this population, due to concerns about the increase in risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA, a serious, potentially fatal acute complication of diabetes due to the accumulation of substances called ketone bodies) observed with SGLT2i therapy in T1D. One of the few T1D studies conducted to date showed that implementing an enhanced DKA prevention plan can reduce the risk of DKA associated with the SGLT2i sotagliflozin (SOTA) to very low levels. In the present study, a similar DKA prevention program will be used to carry-out a 3-year trial to test the kidney benefit of SOTA in 150 persons with T1D and moderate to advanced DKD. After a 2-month period, during which diabetes care will be standardized and education on monitoring and minimizing DKA implemented, eligible study subjects will be randomly assigned (50/50) to take one tablet of SOTA (200 mg) or a similarly looking inactive tablet (placebo) every day for 3 years followed by 2-months without treatment. Neither the participants nor the study staff will know whether a person was assigned to taking SOTA or the inactive tablet. Kidney function at the end of the study will be compared between the two treatment groups to see whether SOTA prevented kidney function loss in those treated with this drug as compared to those who took the inactive tablet. The DKA prevention program will include participant education, close follow-up with study staff, continuous glucose monitoring, and systematic ketone body self-monitoring with a meter provided by the study. If successful, this study will provide efficacy and safety data that could be used to seek FDA approval of SOTA for the prevention of kidney function decline in patients with T1D and DKD.

    View full details

All Publications

  • Use of High-Potency GLP-1 Receptor Agonists With OpenAPS Automated Insulin Dosing Algorithm Eliminates Need for Meal Announcements to Achieve Glycemic Goals. Diabetes care Akcan, T., Kingman, R. S., Morgan, M., Liu, Y. T., Kingston, K., Lal, R. A. 2026

    View details for DOI 10.2337/dc25-2569

    View details for PubMedID 41511751

  • Beyond weight loss: tirzepatide as a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist for obstructive sleep apnea. Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity Noreña, J. A., Akcan, T., Desai, D. 2025

    Abstract

    This review summarizes emerging evidence on the use of the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA) tirzepatide in improving obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) outcomes in individuals with obesity.Tirzepatide has demonstrated significant reductions in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) among patients with OSA and coexisting obesity. It has recently become the first medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity. In addition to weight loss, tirzepatide has been associated with reduced cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal events, suggesting broader systemic benefits.As a dual GIP/GLP-1 RA, tirzepatide represents a promising therapy for OSA in individuals with obesity, offering benefits of both weight reduction and symptom improvement. Given the high burden and underdiagnosis of OSA, particularly in populations with obesity, it should be considered earlier in the treatment algorithm, either in combination with or as an alternative to traditional therapies.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/MED.0000000000000949

    View details for PubMedID 41405280

  • Artificial intelligence tools in supporting healthcare professionals for tailored patient care. NPJ digital medicine Kim, J., Chen, M. L., Rezaei, S. J., Hernandez-Boussard, T., Chen, J. H., Rodriguez, F., Han, S. S., Lal, R. A., Kim, S. H., Dosiou, C., Seav, S. M., Akcan, T., Rodriguez, C. I., Asch, S. M., Linos, E. 2025; 8 (1): 210

    Abstract

    Artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support clinicians in providing patient-centered care can contribute to patient empowerment and care efficiency. We aimed to draft potential AI tools for tailored patient support corresponding to patients' needs and assess clinicians' perceptions about the usefulness of those AI tools. To define patients' issues, we analyzed 528,199 patient messages of 11,123 patients with diabetes by harnessing natural language processing and AI. Applying multiple prompt-engineering techniques, we drafted a series of AI tools, and five endocrinologists evaluated them for perceived usefulness and risk. Patient education and administrative support for timely and streamlined interaction were perceived as highly useful, yet deeper integration of AI tools into patient data was perceived as risky. This study proposes assorted AI applications as clinical assistance tailored to patients' needs substantiated by clinicians' evaluations. Findings could offer essential ramifications for developing potential AI tools for precision patient care for diabetes and beyond.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41746-025-01604-3

    View details for PubMedID 40240489

    View details for PubMedCentralID 5069713

  • HDL Meets Triglyceride. Journal of lipid research Akcan, T., Kraemer, F. B. 2025: 100796

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jlr.2025.100796

    View details for PubMedID 40189208

  • Safe and Effective Use of U-200 Insulin With Automated Insulin Delivery Systems. Clinical diabetes : a publication of the American Diabetes Association Akcan, T., Needleman, L., Basina, M. 2025; 43 (3): 449-452

    View details for DOI 10.2337/cd24-0110

    View details for PubMedID 40741456

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12304551

  • Automated Insulin Delivery for Type 1 Diabetes: Present and Future. Diabetes spectrum : a publication of the American Diabetes Association Akcan, T., Lee, M. Y., Needleman, L., Lal, R. A. 2025; 38 (3): 217-227

    Abstract

    Advancements in automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have transformed type 1 diabetes management, making AID the most effective technology for improving metabolic outcomes and quality of life in individuals with the disease. In this article, we review the available AID systems and their key features through case vignettes that illustrate their real-world applications in type 1 diabetes management. We then examine existing gaps in technology and explore future advancements to further enhance AID functionality and adoption.

    View details for DOI 10.2337/dsi25-0003

    View details for PubMedID 40823608

  • Refractory Hypercalcemia In a Patient With Multiple Granulomatous Disorders Velasquez, J., Akcan, T., Kraemer, F., Lin, C., Motlaghzadeh, Y., Sellmeyer, D. E. OXFORD UNIV PRESS. 2024: 233

    View details for Web of Science ID 001361790801224