Back to page

Chasing a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes

  • Update for 23/04/2013

      23 April 2013

    PHASES 1 AND 2 - SCSNZ TYPE 1 DIABETES CURE TRIAL *PHASE 1 Cost estimate $1m* Complete laboratory studies that are needed to finalise the conditions for growing the adult stem cells. This will take about 6 months. During this period we will also test bone marrow stem cells from people with Type 1 Diabetes beside those from normal people. Buy the equipment needed for growing, handling and storing the required doses of adult stem cells. The equipment will be tested with cells from normal volunteers and people with Type 1 Diabetes. This phase is needed to document the manufacturing process so that full quality control can be maintained when the clinical trial starts. This stage will take about 6 months after all equipment has been obtained. Obtain approval from the NZ Standing Committee on Therapeutic Trials and the Ethics Committee to carry out the clinical trials in volunteers who have Type 1 Diabetes. Extensive documentation is needed to gain these approvals. Preparation for this work has started. *PHASE 2 Cost estimate $800,000* Carry out the clinical trials of treatment. This will take approximately 15 ? 18 months, as follow-up monitoring tests are needed over a long period to check progress and outcomes.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment
    • 25/01/2016 by bhntvyet

      01/01/1967

  • Update for 23/04/2013

      23 April 2013

    SCSNZ's national day is Wednesday 1 May 2013.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment
    • 25/01/2016 by bhntvyet

      01/01/1967

  • Update for 23/04/2013

      23 April 2013

    WHAT IS TYPE 1 DIABETES? ? Type 1 Diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the bodyfs own immune system attacks and destroys the pancreas cells that make insulin. ? People with Type 1 have to take regular insulin injections and test blood sugar levels. ? Managing Type 1 is a constant balancing act. The risk is always there of having hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels, which can lead to unconsciousness, seizures and death) or hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels, which can lead to chronic complications or acute ketoacidosis, coma and death). Chronic complications include depression, kidney failure, blindness, amputation, nerve damage, heart disease and stroke. ? Type 1 Diabetes affects every aspect of a personfs life and there are no holidays from it. AIMS ? To treat/cure Type 1 Diabetes. ? Then to treat/cure other auto-immune diseases eg MS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohnfs Disease, Coeliacfs, thyroid disease. ? A treatment/cure for spinal cord injury. HOW DOES IT WORK? ? Adult stem cells are taken from bone marrow of the person with Type 1 Diabetes. ? Stem cells are grown and their immune suppressing powers activated in a laboratory. ? These cells are then used to gswitch offh the auto-immune response in the Type 1 personfs body (two methods will be tested). This allows their pancreas to start making insulin again. ? Blood tests will measure how much of their own insulin each person is making and changes in their blood glucose levels after treatment. Treatment using peoplefs own cells - NO embryonic or donor tissue used

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment
    • 25/01/2016 by bhntvyet

      01/01/1967

  • Update for 23/04/2013

      23 April 2013

    Chasing a Cure at Papatowai's final total was $487 (including a $50 donation made offline). Well done Valerie (11) and Lauren (9). Fantastic effort girls!

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment
    • 25/01/2016 by bhntvyet

      01/01/1967