New type 1 diabetes clinical trial underway
JDRF-funded researchers at the University of Queensland have launched a clinical trial into a new blood test they hope will be able to accurately predict people at risk of type 1 diabetes.
The test is the result of research that has identified a link between the onset of type 1 diabetes and a special type of protein called NF-Kappa B. In a healthy immune system, this protein is an important component of the immune response to infection. In people with type 1 diabetes, and seemingly also in people at risk of developing type 1 diabetes, this protein is constantly activated resulting in the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Led by Professor Ranjeny Thomas in collaboration with the Mater Children’s Hospital, the clinical trial is evaluating the accuracy of a new blood test that can assess the activation level of NF-KappaB. Ideally, the test will be able to detect risk as early as possible to allow immediate treatment and preventative changes to life style.
Excitingly, this trial is just the first step for this research group. In addition to looking at ways to block the inflammation that results from the constant activation of the NF-Kappa B, Professor Thomas’ team are working on a promising type 1 diabetes vaccine that will ‘retrain’ the immune system to prevent the autoimmune attack.
Families living with type 1 diabetes can find out more information about the new blood test by contacting Helen Pahau on (07) 3240 2170 or h.pahau@uq.edu.au.
With the work JDRF is doing on helping prevent type 1 diabetes (eg. the INIT studies), this sounds like a very promising way to get onto preventative treatments early.
Does the blood test identify the potential for type 1 diabetes (ie has potential but still needs environmental trigger) or does it indicate that the autoimmune reaction is about to happen/is happening?
Also – what 'preventative changes to lifestyle' are they referring to?
The blood test is designed to pick up the very first signs that the autoimmune process is occurring as research has shown that this process may start years before the symptoms of T1D are seen. The preventative changes we refer to concern the potential for taking drug treatments to protect the islet cells from further damage. There is also significant research being conducted into the environmental triggers of T1D which will hopefully provide us with information on what things can be done day-to-day to reduce your risk.