Today’s blog title came to me last week as I was browsing through diabetes information about what was up and coming in the diabetes world. We know research and investigations are continually being done, but we also realize that research takes many years to complete and thus we have to wait for the outcomes/results which can be good or bad.
Clinical Trials are part of clinical research and are a foundation for all medical advances. The Clinical Trial may be looking at a new way to prevent a disease/complication, detect or treat a disease. All new drugs, no matter what disease they are intended to treat go through clinical trials. Once the outcomes are known the drug still has to be approved by the FDA (USA) and Health Canada.
There have been many major studies which have impacted the management of diabetes. The Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT) showed that intensive treatment with insulin to maintain blood glucose levels as close to normal as safely possible greatly lowered participants’ chances of developing eye, nerve and kidney disease .
Another significant Clinical Trial is the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS). The DPP showed that people who are at high risk of type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the disease by making lifestyle changes that include weight loss and physical activity. The drug, metformin, also was found to prevent the disease, although to a lesser degree. The DPPOS has continued to follow DPP participants to see if the lifestyle changes that were made during the trial or taking metformin continues to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes over time. Up to now, the DPPOS has shown that people can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes for at least 15 years with lifestyle changes or metformin.
The above are just two trials that have influenced diabetes management and there are certainly several others that have benefited all of us. If you are interested in learning more about trials for diabetes or another disease check this website.
Enough about the past and the results, we need to know now what is being researched and when results might be known. Some studies might be actively recruiting patients. If you see a study (clinical trial) you would like to take part in, check with your health care team to see if they think you could be eligible (there is always criteria to be met before acceptance in any trial) and ask for a referral to the closest center where the trial is being done. Not all trials are done at every hospital or research center.
One study I came across that I felt would be of great value is attempting to answer the question: Can Oral Insulin Lower Glucose Levels in People with Type 2 Diabetes? The Trial name : Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of ORMD-0801 in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The study will evaluate if an oral insulin created by Oramed is able to lower participants’ A1C and fasting glucose levels when taken once or twice per day. Wouldn’t this be great for type 2 patients who have a fear of injecting insulin, perhaps because their eye sight is poor or they have unsteady hands, etc.
Another study of great interest to me is on exercise and type 1 diabetes. Exercise and myself have a love hate relationship. My sugars either go too low, too high or I experience delayed lows and highs putting me at risk of unexpected and unplanned events. This trial is studying how glucose levels change in people with type 1 diabetes as they exercise. Learn more by checking out this website.
Another site brought to my attention recently is about implantable CGM. I am not aware of where this is available but the idea is certainly a good one and offers one more choice.
Islet transplantation investigations has been on the rise which means that the islet cells from a healthy person are transplanted in your body (islet cells of the pancreas produce the insulin). This is an invasive procedure and isn’t without its’ side effects. Anti-rejection drugs are needed after the surgery and can create their own problems, so close monitoring is of extreme importance.
Another new development is being done by the company called ViaCyte. In February of this year, this company announced initiation of a Phase 2 Study involving encapsulated cell therapy for type 1 diabetes patients. Encapsulation means that the transplantation of insulin-producing cells are protected by and contained within a protective device/capsule. The ideal encapsulation device will protect the cells from the T1D autoimmune attack while also providing a suitable environment in which the cells can survive and function. If this is successful, then the need for anti-rejection medications would be avoided or at least lessened. (In Phase 2 studies, researchers administer the drug to a group of patients with the disease or condition for which the drug is being developed).
Despite the current pandemic, research and trials continue but perhaps at a bit slower rate. Safety is always a number 1 priority and any trial will be stopped if harm has come to patients. People that are included in trials have to consent for enrolment and agree to all the follow-up visits and demands being expected of them.
I remember years ago I spoke at a hospital pharmacy conference on the DCCT trial results (mentioned above) and the speaker after me said his sister had been in that trial. One more reason to say, it is a small world.
I feel optimistic that researchers world-wide continue to investigate ways to improve lives of people with diabetes. There is hope for the future.
Diabetes 360 is a comprehensive strategy that will address key needs for Canadians with or at risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes Canada is communicating with elected officials from all parties asking them for a commitment to support the Diabetes 360 strategy that will dramatically reduce diabetes in Canada and save our health-care system over $20 billion over 7 years.
This past week, this article was printed in the Toronto Globe and Mail. Please take time to read it. Diabetes Canada has been encouraging members and families affected by any type of diabetes to write letters, phone or visit their elected member of government office to let them know how diabetes impacts our lives and why they need to support this Diabetes Strategy.
I hope today’s blog has given you hope and encouragement. Work/research is being done and the future will be brighter I believe.
Thank you for your time today. Please feel free to pass any of my blogs to others with diabetes and I hope they will sign up. I am always interested in new topics to be discussed so don’t be shy to ask.
References for today are the websites included in my discussion.
A colleague of mine has written her blog this week on neuropathic pain, a condition common in diabetes. If you are interested or suffer from it, please check it out.
The information provided here is for information only. It does not replace information from any of your health-care providers.
The websites are for information only. I do not endorse or have any affiliation with any of these sites or companies mentioned today. #newsflash&diabetes. #diabetes&future