Through the efforts of research, it is likely our children will see a cure for diabetes in their lifetime. The last several years alone have yielded great progress in diabetes management and insight into avenues leading to the end of insulin-dependence.
This research requires lots of money. And the bottom line is that we need to take a vested interest in raising money to further the science and technology our kids so deperately need. Find an area of research that interests you and hold a fundraiser. We all must work to bring an end to this disease.
Artificial Pancreas
JDRF has taken the lead in accelerating the development of an artificial pancreas -- a system that can revolutionize diabetes care and dramatically improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes.
An artificial pancreas will integrate two currently available technologies -- continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps -- with an algorithm that provides the right amount of insulin at the right time. It will enable people with diabetes to achieve tight blood glucose control avoiding both highs and dangerous lows, thereby significantly reducing the risk of the disease's devastating complications. It will also help advance JDRF's replacement and regeneration cure therapeutic strategies, where treatment success will be greatly aided by the ability to keep blood sugar tightly controlled.
Source: JDRF Artificial Pancreas Project
Islet Cell Transplantation
When you first hear that your child's pancreas doesn't work properly, you may have been like me and just thought, "Let's get him a new one." Unfortunately, as I learned in the months to follow his diagnosis, it's not that simple.
I am sure by now you understand the mechanics of what went wrong with your child: The insulin-producing beta cells in the islets were killed off by renegade T-cells in the body. So, essentially, because T-cells have memory, even if you put a healthy pancreas in the T1D child, the renegade T-cells will once again destroy the newly transplanted pancreatic islet cells. The only way to counter this effect is for the child to take mountains of anti-rejection drugs which come with some side effects. Not a great option right now.
Scientists have a twofold problem: Eliminating or retraining those pesky T-cells and regenerating insulin production. The latest research revolves around Islet Cell Transplantation.
Islet transplantation is a procedure where healthy islets are separated from a donor pancreas then transplanted into patients with diabetes. The transplanted islets replace the cells required to normalize blood sugars – cells that have already been lost because of the onset of diabetes. Instead of major surgery, the procedure is performed in a radiology suite under local anesthesia.
In multi-center clinical trials, DRI and other researchers have demonstrated that patients with long-standing diabetes could achieve insulin independence following infusions of insulin-producing islet cells. Several landmark studies have validated the promise of islet transplantation and represent a big step in the global effort to find a diabetes cure.
Though progress has been substantial, islet transplantation remains an experimental procedure and we are working to overcome the remaining challenges that limit the procedure’s widespread use. Among these challenges are eliminating the need for long-term immunosuppression, developing a plentiful supply of insulin-producing cells, and creating an optimal environment for the cells to thrive.
Source: The Diabetes Research Institute
Other Research Links
Wiki by a brilliant man named Joshua Levy who analyzes potential cures.
Coping and Hoping
a place for loved ones of children with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes
News & Research
