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13/12/2004
Type 1 diabetes vaccine trial to start
British researchers have raised hopes for a potential cure for patients in the early stages of Type 1 diabetes as a human trial begins.
Teams working at Bristol University and King's College London are set to test a vaccine on humans for the first time. The vaccine involves the injection of a protein that stops the body destroying the insulin producing cells. Trials have been successful in mice.
"A hundred years ago Type 1 diabetes was a death sentence," said Georgina Slack, Head of Research at Diabetes UK who have part-funded the research.
"We've come a long way in terms of managing the condition. Now we're seeing new approaches in research emerge which are improving the chances of providing a cure.
"There is no doubt that any breakthroughs would have a huge impact on the treatment of people with diabetes. The prospect of finding a way of stopping the body from attacking itself and causing Type 1 diabetes is the holy grail of diabetes research.
"This inoculation has so far only been tested in mice so research is still in its very early stages. We'll be following any progress with the research into humans very closely."
The first stage of the trials will be to check whether the vaccine might work in humans, and to ensure that it is safe.
Assuming that goes well, researchers will test the vaccine on newly diagnosed people with Type 1 diabetes. These people typically still have one in five insulin producing islet cells working and it is hoped that the injections will protect these cells.
If the research trail proves a success, a vaccine against Type 1 diabetes could be available by about 2015.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre in Melbourne, Australia are jointly funding he trial.
(SP/MB)
Teams working at Bristol University and King's College London are set to test a vaccine on humans for the first time. The vaccine involves the injection of a protein that stops the body destroying the insulin producing cells. Trials have been successful in mice.
"A hundred years ago Type 1 diabetes was a death sentence," said Georgina Slack, Head of Research at Diabetes UK who have part-funded the research.
"We've come a long way in terms of managing the condition. Now we're seeing new approaches in research emerge which are improving the chances of providing a cure.
"There is no doubt that any breakthroughs would have a huge impact on the treatment of people with diabetes. The prospect of finding a way of stopping the body from attacking itself and causing Type 1 diabetes is the holy grail of diabetes research.
"This inoculation has so far only been tested in mice so research is still in its very early stages. We'll be following any progress with the research into humans very closely."
The first stage of the trials will be to check whether the vaccine might work in humans, and to ensure that it is safe.
Assuming that goes well, researchers will test the vaccine on newly diagnosed people with Type 1 diabetes. These people typically still have one in five insulin producing islet cells working and it is hoped that the injections will protect these cells.
If the research trail proves a success, a vaccine against Type 1 diabetes could be available by about 2015.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre in Melbourne, Australia are jointly funding he trial.
(SP/MB)
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Links point to genetic test for diabetes
There is hope that a genetic test for diabetes could be developed following the mapping of four key sites in human DNA that are linked to the development of the disease. Scientists from Imperial College London said that the new findings may explain up to 70% of the genetic background of Type 2 diabetes.
26 August 2015
PHE Report Estimates Five Million At Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
New figures from Public Health England (PHE) show that five million people have a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
PHE Report Estimates Five Million At Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
New figures from Public Health England (PHE) show that five million people have a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
11 July 2014
Guidelines Call For Increase In Ops To Fight Type 2 Diabetes
Draft guidelines have been produced proposing an expansion of weight loss surgery in England, in an effort to tackle the rise of type 2 diabetes. Produced by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the guidelines stated aim is to reduce debilitating complications, which are a huge drain on NHS resources.
Guidelines Call For Increase In Ops To Fight Type 2 Diabetes
Draft guidelines have been produced proposing an expansion of weight loss surgery in England, in an effort to tackle the rise of type 2 diabetes. Produced by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the guidelines stated aim is to reduce debilitating complications, which are a huge drain on NHS resources.
20 April 2005
Childhood type 2 diabetes rates rise
The number of children suffering from the form of diabetes more common in adults could be higher than previously estimated, it has emerged.
Childhood type 2 diabetes rates rise
The number of children suffering from the form of diabetes more common in adults could be higher than previously estimated, it has emerged.
11 September 2012
Researchers Confident About New Hay Fever Vaccine
Researchers at Imperial College London and King’s College London have announced a potential breakthrough in a new hay fever vaccine. In tests, they have injected into a layer of skin on patients they think is a "hotline" to the immune system. The researchers say their "targeted" approach could lead to a cheaper and more effective vaccine.
Researchers Confident About New Hay Fever Vaccine
Researchers at Imperial College London and King’s College London have announced a potential breakthrough in a new hay fever vaccine. In tests, they have injected into a layer of skin on patients they think is a "hotline" to the immune system. The researchers say their "targeted" approach could lead to a cheaper and more effective vaccine.
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