Artificial Pancreas for Type 1 Diabetes Goes into Clinical Trials

Filed in archive Developments , Notable , Research , Views on July 7, 2007

Type 1 diabetics have a malfunctioning pancreas - either not producing enough insulin or none at all to control blood sugar, thus making the individuals (usually young juveniles) dependent on insulin to survive.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is always looking for a cure for type 1 diabetes and in one of its efforts has funded researchers at the University of Cambridge that worked on "artifical pancreas".

[The artificial pancreas, spearheaded by Drs Roman Hovorka, David Dunger and Carlo Acerini of the Department of Paediatrics, combines two pieces of technology - an insulin pump and a continuous glucose sensor, which provides real time data about trends in glucose levels and alarms the patient to intervene if levels are heading too high or too low.

Dr Hovorka is working on perfecting the algorithm that enables the pump and sensor to "talk" to each other by testing the technology in children, who are the most challenging age group in which to achieve consistently normal glucose levels.]

Now, the research team in Cambridge has commenced clinical trials of the 'artificial pancreas" that will soon revolutionize the treatment for type 1 diabetes once proven successful.

According to Dr. Hovorka:

"This technology will enable a child with type 1 diabetes to achieve better glucose and HbA1c levels by automatically providing the right amount of insulin at the right time, just as the pancreas does in people without the condition. Doctors and patients should be aware that this technology is coming."

Wow. This is indeed a breakthrough even if it sounds like a bit "robotic" to me. But if this will become THE CURE for type 1 diabetes, then who I am to complain.

Find more details from the full report.

[This research was featured in a BBC Ten O'Clock News report by Health Correspondent Fergus Walsh on July 5, 2007.]